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Lawyers Salary in California
Ranked #2 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of lawyerss in California earn between $97,950 and $369,180. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean lawyers salary in California is $230,040, about 23.8% above the U.S. average ($185,840). That works out to roughly $111/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $301,320 | $288,980 | 6,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $212,500 | $237,060 | 18,470 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $194,410 | $241,500 | 41,580 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $185,520 | $191,100 | 1,220 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $181,560 | $248,950 | 590 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $178,540 | $187,020 | 7,620 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $178,220 | $203,680 | 8,020 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $175,780 | $193,770 | 290 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in California?
The median lawyers salary in California is $195,080 per year (mean $230,040), and about 80% earn between $97,950 and $369,180.
How much do lawyers make per hour in California?
Roughly $111 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $230,040 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for lawyers?
California ranks #2 of 51 states for lawyers pay. Its mean salary of $230,040 is about 23.8% above the U.S. average of $185,840.
Which metro areas in California pay lawyers the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for lawyers are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($301,320), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($212,500), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($194,410), by median annual wage.