📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Lawyers Salary in California (2026)

California · 42.0% above national average · Very High Demand

Average
$263,893
per year
Median
$226,731
per year
Hourly
$126.87
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$130,671
25th Percentile — Junior$208,271
50th Percentile — Median$226,731
75th Percentile — Senior$382,872
90th Percentile — Top Earners$459,330
💡 Top-earning Lawyerss in California make up to $459,330 per year. The job market in California is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$227.6k
2021
$234.5k
2022
$241.5k
2023
$248.7k
2024
$256.2k
2025
$263.9k
2026
📈 Lawyers salaries in California have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in California's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Lawyers Salary by City in California
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Los Angeles $409,034 +55.0% Very High
San Diego $390,562 +48.0% Very High
San Jose $453,896 +72.0% Very High
San Francisco $488,202 +85.0% Very High
Fresno $285,004 +8.0% Very High
Sacramento $321,949 +22.0% Very High
Long Beach $382,645 +45.0% Very High
Bakersfield $285,004 +8.0% Very High
Anaheim $374,728 +42.0% Very High
Santa Ana $369,450 +40.0% Very High
Riverside $337,783 +28.0% Very High
Stockton $311,394 +18.0% Very High
Irvine $409,034 +55.0% Very High
San Bernardino $311,394 +18.0% Very High
Modesto $295,560 +12.0% Very High
Fontana $321,949 +22.0% Very High
Moreno Valley $303,477 +15.0% Very High
Glendale $390,562 +48.0% Very High
Fremont $422,229 +60.0% Very High
🔍
Lawyers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation

California is home to a very strong job market for Lawyerss. The state's key industries — Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $263,893 per year, California's Lawyers salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in California (index: 1.42) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in California can expect to earn $130,671–$208,271, while experienced Lawyerss can command $382,872–$459,330.

Looking ahead, the Lawyers profession in California is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Lawyers salary in California is $263,893 per year in 2026, which is 42.0% above the national average of $185,840.
  • San Francisco and San Jose typically pay Lawyerss the highest wages in California due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • California has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Lawyers employment.
  • At $263,893/year, California Lawyers salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average of $185,840/year.