The full salary range for a lawyer in the US runs from $78,360 at the 10th percentile to $351,600 at the 90th percentile. For most hiring decisions, the range between the 25th percentile ($102,990) and the 75th percentile ($221,370) is the most practical band to work within, covering the broad middle of the market.
Lawyer salary in the US (2026)
The average lawyer salary in the US is $185,840. The median salary of $159,670 is the more reliable anchor for most hiring decisions, because it reflects what the typical lawyer earns without being pulled upward by the highest-paid partners and senior attorneys. The wide gap between the median and the mean tells you that a small number of very high earners sit at the top of this market, so anchoring your offer to the median will keep your compensation competitive without overpaying for mid-level roles.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $185,840 |
Median annual salary | $159,670 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 754,500 employed lawyers across the US.
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Lawyer salary percentiles
Percentile | Annual salary |
10th percentile | $78,360 |
25th percentile | $102,990 |
75th percentile | $221,370 |
90th percentile | $351,600 |
When setting an offer, the range from $78,360 at the 10th percentile to $351,600 at the 90th percentile shows that lawyer compensation varies more than almost any other profession, so your offer should reflect the specific practice area, experience level, and market you are hiring in rather than defaulting to a single national figure.
How lawyer salaries compare across states
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
California | $230,040 | $195,080 |
New York | $220,180 | $207,860 |
Colorado | $206,440 | $168,520 |
Massachusetts | $205,980 | $176,680 |
Georgia | $191,190 | $134,830 |
Illinois | $181,240 | $160,800 |
Texas | $180,370 | $154,200 |
Virginia | $179,240 | $167,210 |
Washington | $169,940 | $154,130 |
Florida | $162,060 | $133,180 |
If you are hiring a lawyer in California or New York, budget meaningfully above the national median of $159,670, as those states carry average salaries of $230,040 and $220,180 respectively. States like Florida and Georgia show median salaries of $133,180 and $134,830, which gives you more room to hire within a tighter budget if remote or regional work is an option.
Frequently asked questions about Lawyer salary in the US
What is the salary range for a Lawyer in the US?
What is the average Lawyer salary in the US?
The average lawyer salary in the US is $185,840, but the median of $159,670 is the better number to anchor your offer to. The gap between the two figures reflects a relatively small group of very high earners pulling the average upward, so using the median protects you from overpaying for roles that do not require top-of-market talent.
What do the top-earning Lawyers make nationally?
Lawyers at the 90th percentile earn $351,600 annually, and those at the 75th percentile earn $221,370. If you are competing for senior or specialized legal talent, expect compensation demands well above the national median of $159,670, and budget accordingly for equity, bonuses, or other incentives to close the gap.
Which states pay the most for Lawyers?
California and New York pay the most, with average annual salaries of $230,040 and $220,180 respectively. Colorado and Massachusetts follow closely at $206,440 and $205,980, so if you are hiring in any of these states, your compensation budget should sit well above the national average of $185,840.
More salary data
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, for Lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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