Legal San Jose, CA Pop. 1,013,240

Lawyer Salary in San Jose, California

The median lawyer salary in San Jose, CA is $228,043 per year, which is 68.0% above the national median and 21.7% above the California state average.

City Median
$228,043
vs State Avg
+$40,722
vs National
+$92,303
Cost of Living
168%

Lawyer Salary in San Jose by Experience

In San Jose, an entry-level lawyer earns around $117,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $369,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$117,600
+$47,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$231,840
+$93,840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$369,600
+$149,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Jose, CA

Percentile San Jose
10th Percentile $109,200
25th Percentile $142,800
Median (50th) $228,043
75th Percentile $312,480
90th Percentile $401,856

Lawyer Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$247,047
Pop. 873,965
Los Angeles, CA
$198,180
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$192,751
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$160,173
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Lawyer in San Jose

Education

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