Lawyers salary in California
How much does a lawyer make in California?
The median lawyer in California earns $195,080 a year, and the mean is $230,040 (BLS, May 2025). That ranks California #3 of 51 states and is $35,410 above the US median of $159,670.
| Median annual wage | $195,080 |
|---|---|
| Mean annual wage | $230,040 |
| People employed | 95,770 |
| Rank among states (median) | #3 of 51 |
| US median | $159,670 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Median is the middle wage; half of workers earn more and half less. Pay varies with experience, employer and city.
Nearby in the ranking
- New York: $207,860 median
- District of Columbia: $195,190 median
- Massachusetts: $176,680 median
- Delaware: $173,510 median
See legal jobs · Law firms in California
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