Lawyers Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for lawyers in the United States is $159,670 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) — real government survey data, not an algorithmic salary estimate. Pay ranges from $78,360 at the 10th percentile to $351,600 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Solicitors and lawyers) has a median of £53,314 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Signing a US offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $78,360 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $102,990 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $159,670 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $221,370 | Experienced |
| 90th | $351,600 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 | $220,180 | 92,000 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $242,800 | 33,000 |
| California | $195,080 | $230,040 | 96,000 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 | $205,980 | 24,000 |
| Delaware | $173,510 | $199,970 | 3,000 |
| Colorado | $168,520 | $206,440 | 17,000 |
| Virginia | $167,210 | $179,240 | 19,000 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $186,170 | 8,000 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $184,090 | 23,000 |
| Illinois | $160,800 | $181,240 | 34,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $169,170 | 27,000 |
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $174,300 | 12,000 |
| Texas | $154,200 | $180,370 | 57,000 |
| Washington | $154,130 | $169,940 | 13,000 |
| Nevada | $150,510 | $205,630 | 6,000 |
| Alaska | $149,940 | $167,890 | 1,000 |
| Maryland | $139,110 | $157,370 | 14,000 |
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $159,690 | 2,000 |
| Oregon | $138,210 | $156,620 | 7,000 |
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $163,870 | 9,000 |
| Georgia | $134,830 | $191,190 | 24,000 |
| Arizona | $134,260 | $157,190 | 12,000 |
| Missouri | $133,450 | $162,820 | 12,000 |
| Florida | $133,180 | $162,060 | 55,000 |
| Utah | $132,830 | $169,480 | 7,000 |
| Alabama | $131,970 | $146,630 | 7,000 |
| Ohio | $131,020 | $151,140 | 20,000 |
| Michigan | $130,520 | $148,820 | 17,000 |
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $160,340 | 17,000 |
| Vermont | $127,310 | $179,630 | 1,000 |
| Indiana | $126,860 | $175,850 | 9,000 |
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $171,200 | 9,000 |
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $127,280 | 2,000 |
| Iowa | $123,550 | $144,760 | 4,000 |
| Guam | $122,930 | $123,120 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $172,990 | 2,000 |
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $144,700 | 8,000 |
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $138,250 | 3,000 |
| Virgin Islands | $118,440 | $124,510 | 150 |
| Maine | $113,120 | $129,600 | 2,000 |
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $133,490 | 3,000 |
| North Dakota | $106,880 | $128,680 | 1,000 |
| Kansas | $106,650 | $130,530 | 4,000 |
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $127,520 | 10,000 |
| Montana | $103,720 | $115,830 | 2,000 |
| Idaho | $103,400 | $125,070 | 2,000 |
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $122,750 | 7,000 |
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $123,210 | 2,000 |
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $132,270 | 1,000 |
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $120,730 | 6,000 |
| Wyoming | $100,130 | $125,050 | 900 |
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $131,680 | 3,000 |
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $108,930 | 3,000 |
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How Does This Compare to the UK?
Lawyers is the US equivalent of solicitors and lawyers in the UK, which has a national median of £53,314. Figures are shown in local currency, not converted — cost of living, tax systems and benefits packages differ enough between the two countries that a currency conversion alone would be misleading. See the full UK breakdown, or use our comparison tool to set this role against another job title side by side, with location and experience-level filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a lawyers in the US?
The US national median wage for lawyers is $159,670 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for lawyers in the US?
Pay ranges from $78,360 at the 10th percentile to $351,600 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay lawyers the most?
The highest-paying states for lawyers include New York ($207,860), District of Columbia ($195,190), California ($195,080). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does lawyers salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — New York ($207,860) pays roughly 127% more than Mississippi ($91,690). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
How does lawyers pay compare between the US and UK?
The UK equivalent role (Solicitors and lawyers) has a national median of £53,314. Figures are shown in local currency rather than converted, since cost of living and tax systems differ enough between the two countries that a straight currency conversion would be misleading.
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-09-02