Legal San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Lawyer Salary in San Diego, California

The median lawyer salary in San Diego, CA is $192,751 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median and 2.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$192,751
vs State Avg
+$5,430
vs National
+$57,011
Cost of Living
142%

Lawyer Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level lawyer earns around $99,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $312,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$99,400
+$29,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$195,960
+$57,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$312,400
+$92,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $92,300
25th Percentile $120,700
Median (50th) $192,751
75th Percentile $264,120
90th Percentile $339,664

Lawyer Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$247,047
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$228,043
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$198,180
Pop. 3,898,747
Sacramento, CA
$160,173
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Lawyer in San Diego

Education

Most lawyer positions require a doctoral degree. San Diego and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal ResearchLitigationContract LawNegotiationWestlaw/LexisNexisOral Advocacy

Job Outlook

Nationally, lawyer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.