Lawyer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Lawyers Make?
Lawyers earn a median annual salary of $151,160 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $72,780 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $166,420. The highest-paying state is California at $197,790.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $72,780 |
| 25th percentile | $99,760 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 |
| 75th percentile | $215,420 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200 |
Lawyer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $197,790 |
| District of Columbia | $191,880 |
| Massachusetts | $179,050 |
| New York | $177,210 |
| Delaware | $172,710 |
| Colorado | $167,970 |
| Connecticut | $159,240 |
| New Jersey | $158,470 |
| Virginia | $157,980 |
| Illinois | $157,320 |
| Washington | $151,950 |
| Maryland | $143,490 |
| Oregon | $141,520 |
| Minnesota | $137,720 |
| Texas | $133,570 |
| Arizona | $133,360 |
| Alaska | $132,710 |
| Tennessee | $130,570 |
| Indiana | $130,120 |
| Rhode Island | $128,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $127,940 |
| Florida | $127,810 |
| Alabama | $127,660 |
| Michigan | $126,600 |
| Georgia | $126,240 |
| Utah | $125,710 |
| Ohio | $125,450 |
| North Carolina | $124,880 |
| Missouri | $124,210 |
| New Hampshire | $122,640 |
| Wisconsin | $119,970 |
| Hawaii | $116,010 |
| Louisiana | $112,600 |
| New Mexico | $112,500 |
| Kansas | $112,000 |
| Iowa | $107,870 |
| Nebraska | $104,970 |
| North Dakota | $104,940 |
| South Carolina | $104,160 |
| Kentucky | $102,670 |
| Idaho | $102,280 |
| West Virginia | $102,240 |
| Vermont | $101,090 |
| Montana | $100,750 |
| Maine | $100,340 |
| Wyoming | $100,170 |
| Oklahoma | $98,870 |
| South Dakota | $96,550 |
| Mississippi | $92,610 |
| Arkansas | $86,970 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Lawyers
Lawyer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$72,780 – $99,760 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$151,160 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$215,420 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $239,200+ |
How to Earn More as a Lawyer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Lawyers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $239,200 — $88,040 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($215,420) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Lawyer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Lawyerthis career | $151,160 |
| Chief Executive | $206,420 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigator | $76,790 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,420 |
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officer | $78,420 |
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SOC: 23-1011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.