Lawyers Salary in California
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for lawyers in California was $195,080 +22.2% vs national
California vs United States
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $195,080 | $159,670 |
| Median hourly | $93.79 | $76.76 |
| Employment | 95,770 | 754,500 |
| Location quotient | 1.08 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (California) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
The numbers in context
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $97,950, median pay is $195,080, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $369,180.
The median wage in California is 22.2% above the national median — a difference of about $35,410 per year for a typical worker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average lawyers salary in California?
The median annual wage in California is $195,080 ($93.79 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does California compare to the national average for lawyers?
The California median of $195,080 is 22.2% higher than the U.S. median of $159,670.
How many lawyers work in California?
Approximately 95,770 are employed in California, per BLS OES.