SOC 23-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lawyers — Salinas
Salinas, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Lawyers in Salinas, CA is $166,940 per year, close to the national median of $159,670 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Lawyers in Salinas, CA is $166,940 per year, close to the national median of $159,670 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $119,990 and $210,980. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $80,610 and the ninetieth at $289,250.
The area has 380 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $301,320. Of the 369 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 10th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $80,610 | −49.5% |
| 25th | $119,990 | −24.9% |
| Median (50th) | $166,940 | +4.6% |
| 75th | $210,980 | +32.1% |
| 90th | $289,250 | +81.2% |
| Mean | $178,560 | +11.8% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $301,320 | 6,040 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $212,500 | 18,470 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $194,410 | 41,580 | |
| 4 | Oxnard | $185,520 | 1,220 | |
| 5 | Santa Rosa | $181,560 | 590 | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $178,540 | 7,620 | |
| 7 | San Diego | $178,220 | 8,020 | |
| 8 | San Luis Obispo | $175,780 | 290 | |
| 9 | Stockton | $174,880 | 490 | |
| 10 | Santa Maria | $170,970 | 700 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Salinas run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $166,940 buys what $150,804 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 5.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$166,940as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$150,804US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $166,940 a year, 4.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $80,610 to $289,250 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 380 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $301,320.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lawyers in Salinas, CA?
The median annual wage is $166,940, or $80.26 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $159,670, so pay in Salinas, CA is 4.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Salinas, CA earns more than $289,250 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $80,610 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $301,320 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 380 jobs in this occupation in Salinas, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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