Lawyer Salary
Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters, conducting research and advocating in court.
Lawyer Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level lawyers earn around $70,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $138,000. Senior-level lawyers can earn $220,000 or more.
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View Offers You Qualify For →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for lawyers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $65,000, while the top 10% earn $239,200.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $135,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $186,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $239,200 |
Lawyer Salary by State
Lawyer salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $230,758, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $112,664.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $230,758 | Details → |
| #2 California | $187,321 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $183,249 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $168,318 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $165,603 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $156,101 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $156,101 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $152,029 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $149,314 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $149,314 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $142,527 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $142,527 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $142,527 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $141,170 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $137,097 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $137,097 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $133,025 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $133,025 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $131,668 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $131,668 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $131,668 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $131,668 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $130,310 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $128,953 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $128,953 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $127,596 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $126,238 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $126,238 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $124,881 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $124,881 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $124,881 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $124,881 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $123,523 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $122,166 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $122,166 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $122,166 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $122,166 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $122,166 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $120,809 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $120,809 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $120,809 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $119,451 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $119,451 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $118,094 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $118,094 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $118,094 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $116,736 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $114,022 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $114,022 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $112,664 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Lawyers who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $84,260 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Research legal issues
- ● Draft legal documents
- ● Represent clients in court
- ● Negotiate settlements
- ● Advise on legal rights
Top Skills
Education Required
Doctoral degree
Job Outlook
Faster than average — projected 8% growth over the next decade
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