Legal San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

Lawyer Salary in San Francisco, California

The median lawyer salary in San Francisco, CA is $247,047 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median and 31.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$247,047
vs State Avg
+$59,726
vs National
+$111,307
Cost of Living
182%

Lawyer Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level lawyer earns around $127,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $400,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$127,400
+$57,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$251,160
+$113,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$400,400
+$180,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $118,300
25th Percentile $154,700
Median (50th) $247,047
75th Percentile $338,520
90th Percentile $435,344

Lawyer Salary in Other California Cities

How to Become a Lawyer in San Francisco

Education

Most lawyer positions require a doctoral degree. San Francisco 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 Francisco may vary based on local industry and population growth.