How much does a lawyer make in Washington?
$195,200a year
Median yearly pay for lawyers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $93.84 an hour or $16,270 a month.
- Hourly
- $93.84
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 378
- Jobs in the area
- 46,840
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $106,500Median: $195,200Highest 10%: $382,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $106,500 | $51.21 | |
| 25th | $161,500 | $77.63 | |
| Median | $195,200 | $93.84 | |
| 75th | $309,100 | $148.63 | |
| 90th | $382,900 | $184.08 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for lawyers.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Legal Support Worker | $169,700 |
| Administrative Law Judge | $152,000 |
| Arbitrator | $109,900 |
| Judge | $104,000 |
| Paralegal and Legal Assistant | $81,590 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $70,110 |
| Title Examiner | $60,630 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $93.84 ($195,200 a year).
Do lawyers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $195,200 against $159,700 nationally, 22% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $195,200, so Washington pays 0% more.
Where does Washington rank for lawyer pay?
4 of 378 metro areas with data.
How much does a lawyer make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $106,500 or less a year; the top 10% make $382,900 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.