Lawyers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for lawyers in the United States was $159,670 ($76.76 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $78,360 | $37.67 |
| 25th | $102,990 | $49.51 |
| Median | $159,670 | $76.76 |
| 75th | $221,370 | $106.43 |
| 90th | $351,600 | $169.04 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 23-1011
- Total U.S. employment: 754,500
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
The numbers in context
At $76.76 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $159,661 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $159,670.
With approximately 754,500 lawyers employed, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
Lawyers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $131,970 | $63.45 | -17.3% | 6,730 |
| Alaska | $149,940 | $72.09 | -6.1% | 1,120 |
| Arizona | $134,260 | $64.55 | -15.9% | 11,640 |
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $47.54 | -38.1% | 3,430 |
| California | $195,080 | $93.79 | +22.2% | 95,770 |
| Colorado | $168,520 | $81.02 | +5.5% | 16,720 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $78.66 | +2.5% | 8,420 |
| Delaware | $173,510 | $83.42 | +8.7% | 2,920 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $93.84 | +22.2% | 33,070 |
| Florida | $133,180 | $64.03 | -16.6% | 55,210 |
| Georgia | $134,830 | $64.82 | -15.6% | 23,930 |
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $60.09 | -21.7% | 2,270 |
| Idaho | $103,400 | $49.71 | -35.2% | 2,490 |
| Illinois | $160,800 | $77.31 | +0.7% | 33,590 |
| Indiana | $126,860 | $60.99 | -20.5% | 8,970 |
| Iowa | $123,550 | $59.40 | -22.6% | 3,550 |
| Kansas | $106,650 | $51.28 | -33.2% | 4,190 |
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $48.82 | -36.4% | 5,770 |
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $50.05 | -34.8% | 10,200 |
| Maine | $113,120 | $54.39 | -29.2% | 2,280 |
| Maryland | $139,110 | $66.88 | -12.9% | 13,810 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 | $84.94 | +10.7% | 23,560 |
| Michigan | $130,520 | $62.75 | -18.3% | 16,620 |
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $74.59 | -2.8% | 12,380 |
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $44.08 | -42.6% | 3,100 |
| Missouri | $133,450 | $64.16 | -16.4% | 11,560 |
| Montana | $103,720 | $49.87 | -35.0% | 2,380 |
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $52.49 | -31.6% | 3,490 |
| Nevada | $150,510 | $72.36 | -5.7% | 6,490 |
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $58.08 | -24.3% | 2,250 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $77.61 | +1.1% | 23,160 |
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $57.54 | -25.0% | 3,380 |
| New York | $207,860 | $99.93 | +30.2% | 91,870 |
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $61.40 | -20.0% | 17,000 |
| North Dakota | $106,880 | $51.39 | -33.1% | 1,050 |
| Ohio | $131,020 | $62.99 | -17.9% | 19,950 |
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $49.55 | -35.5% | 6,980 |
| Oregon | $138,210 | $66.45 | -13.4% | 7,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $75.57 | -1.6% | 27,170 |
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $66.81 | -13.0% | 1,840 |
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $57.84 | -24.7% | 7,890 |
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $49.06 | -36.1% | 1,360 |
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $65.47 | -14.7% | 9,010 |
| Texas | $154,200 | $74.13 | -3.4% | 56,580 |
| Utah | $132,830 | $63.86 | -16.8% | 7,020 |
| Vermont | $127,310 | $61.21 | -20.3% | 1,330 |
| Virginia | $167,210 | $80.39 | +4.7% | 18,580 |
| Washington | $154,130 | $74.10 | -3.5% | 12,770 |
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $49.24 | -35.9% | 2,440 |
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $60.94 | -20.6% | 9,160 |
| Wyoming | $100,130 | $48.14 | -37.3% | 900 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Food Preparation Workers — $35,320/yr
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $35,510/yr
- Financial Managers — $166,570/yr
- Medical Assistants — $45,690/yr
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $45,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $79,920/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for lawyers?
The median annual wage for lawyers is $159,670 ($76.76 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays lawyers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many lawyers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 754,500 lawyers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do lawyers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $76.76. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.