How much does a lawyer make in Santa Maria?
$171,000a year
Median yearly pay for lawyers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $82.20 an hour or $14,250 a month.
- Hourly
- $82.20
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 15 of 378
- Jobs in the area
- 700
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $73,920Median: $171,000Highest 10%: $289,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $73,920 | $35.54 | |
| 25th | $109,600 | $52.67 | |
| Median | $171,000 | $82.20 | |
| 75th | $216,400 | $104.05 | |
| 90th | $289,000 | $138.96 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for lawyers.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Paralegal and Legal Assistant | $80,930 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $82.20 ($171,000 a year).
Do lawyers make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $171,000 against $159,700 nationally, 7% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $195,100, so Santa Maria pays 12% less.
Where does Santa Maria rank for lawyer pay?
15 of 378 metro areas with data.
How much does a lawyer make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $73,920 or less a year; the top 10% make $289,000 or more.
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.