Quick answer
Lawyers in California earned a median of $195,080 a year ($93.79 an hour) in May 2025, 22% above the national median of $159,670; 95,770 were employed there, ranking #3 of 53 states and territories by median pay, per BLS OEWS.
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| Measure | California | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $195,080 | $159,670 |
| Mean annual wage | $230,040 | $185,840 |
| Median hourly wage | $93.79 | $76.76 |
| 10th percentile | $97,950 | $78,360 |
| 25th percentile | $131,120 | $102,990 |
| 75th percentile | $277,140 | $221,370 |
| 90th percentile | $369,180 | $351,600 |
| Employment | 95,770 | 754,500 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 5.258 | — |
| Location quotient | 1.08 | 1.00 |
Related
- Lawyers salary in Alaska (May 2025)
- Lawyers salary in Arizona (May 2025)
- Lawyers salary in Arkansas (May 2025)
- Lawyers salary in Colorado (May 2025)
- Lawyers salary in Connecticut (May 2025)
- Lawyers salary in Delaware (May 2025)
- Lawyers salary in District of Columbia (May 2025)
- Lawyers salary in Florida (May 2025)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.