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Lawyer Salary

Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes, researching legal precedents and arguing cases in court.

Median: $135,740 Growth: 8% BLS Data

Lawyer Salary Range

Entry Level

$70,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$120,000

5-10 years

Senior Level

$190,000

10+ years

Salary Percentiles

10th Percentile $61,400

25th Percentile $83,010

Median (50th) $135,740

75th Percentile $208,000

90th Percentile $208,000

Top Paying States for Lawyers

1 California

$182,000

2 New York

$178,000

3 Massachusetts

$170,000

4 Connecticut

$165,000

5 Colorado

$160,000

Job Outlook & Education

Growth Rate

+8%

Above Average

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree and state bar admission

How Much Do Lawyers Make?

The median annual salary for a lawyer in the United States is $135,740 as of 2026. This means half of lawyers earn more than this amount, and half earn less.

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-2 years): $70,000
Mid Career (5-10 years): $120,000
Senior Level (10+ years): $190,000

Calculate Your Take-Home

See exactly how much you'll take home after taxes with our income calculator.

Calculate $135,740 Salary

Hourly Equivalent

Based on 2,080 work hours/year

$65/hr

See $65/hr Breakdown

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What Can a Lawyer Afford?

Based on median salary of $135,740

Max Rent $3,499/mo

Max Car Payment $1,399/mo

Monthly Savings $1,652/mo

See Full Budget Breakdown

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