How much does a lawyer make in California?
$195,100a year
Median yearly pay for lawyers in California. That is $93.79 an hour or $16,260 a month.
- Hourly
- $93.79
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 95,770
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $97,950Median: $195,100Highest 10%: $369,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $97,950 | $47.09 | |
| 25th | $131,100 | $63.04 | |
| Median | $195,100 | $93.79 | |
| 75th | $277,100 | $133.24 | |
| 90th | $369,200 | $177.49 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $301,300 |
| San Francisco, CA | $212,500 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $194,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $185,500 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $181,600 |
| Sacramento, CA | $178,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $178,200 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $175,800 |
| Stockton, CA | $174,900 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $171,000 |
| Vallejo, CA | $170,500 |
| Napa, CA | $168,700 |
| Salinas, CA | $166,900 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $164,800 |
| Modesto, CA | $164,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $162,700 |
| El Centro, CA | $162,600 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $150,900 |
| Visalia, CA | $150,100 |
| Hanford, CA | $149,400 |
| Yuba City, CA | $139,700 |
| Merced, CA | $139,000 |
| Redding, CA | $133,900 |
| Chico, CA | $131,700 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for lawyers.
| 1. New York | $207,900 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $195,200 |
| 3. California | $195,100 |
| 4. Massachusetts | $176,700 |
| 5. Delaware | $173,500 |
| 6. Colorado | $168,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $93.79 ($195,100 a year).
Do lawyers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $195,100 against $159,700 nationally, 22% more.
Where does California rank for lawyer pay?
California ranks 3 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays lawyers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $301,300 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.