Lawyers Salary (2025)
Based on 754,500 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $78,360 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $102,990 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $159,670 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $221,370 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $351,600 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$78K
25th
$103K
Median
$160K
75th
$221K
90th
$352K
Highest Paying States for Lawyers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $242,800 |
| California | $230,040 |
| New York | $220,180 |
| Colorado | $206,440 |
| Massachusetts | $205,980 |
| Nevada | $205,630 |
| Delaware | $199,970 |
| Georgia | $191,190 |
| Connecticut | $186,170 |
| New Jersey | $184,090 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Lawyers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is District of Columbia at an average of $242,800 per year, while New Jersey has an average of $184,090 — a difference of $58,710. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Lawyers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 754,500 workers were employed as Lawyerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Legal Occupations. The annual mean wage of $185,840 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 23-1011