Lawyer Salary Overview
The Lawyer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $145,760. Compensation typically ranges from $63,500 for entry-level positions to $239,200 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Lawyer in the US earns between $63,500 and $239,200 per year, with a median of $145,760.
Lawyer Salary by Experience
Entry-level lawyers earn around $94,744, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $196,776 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $100,574 | $48/hr | $73,649 |
| Mid | $145,760 | $70/hr | $100,687 |
| Senior | $204,064 | $98/hr | $136,812 |
| Lead | $212,810 | $102/hr | $142,400 |
Lawyer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Lawyer in each US state.
Pay for lawyers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,123 | $11,151 | $103,257 | 29.2% |
| Alaska | $145,760 | $24,229 | $0 | $11,151 | $110,380 | 24.3% |
| Arizona | $145,760 | $24,229 | $3,279 | $11,151 | $107,101 | 26.5% |
| Arkansas | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,187 | $11,151 | $104,193 | 28.5% |
| California | $145,760 | $24,229 | $9,693 | $11,151 | $100,687 | 30.9% |
| Colorado | $145,760 | $24,229 | $5,753 | $11,151 | $104,627 | 28.2% |
| Connecticut | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,496 | $11,151 | $102,884 | 29.4% |
| Delaware | $145,760 | $24,229 | $8,389 | $11,151 | $101,991 | 30.0% |
| District of Columbia | $145,760 | $24,229 | $9,549 | $11,151 | $100,831 | 30.8% |
| Florida | $145,760 | $24,229 | $0 | $11,151 | $110,380 | 24.3% |
| Georgia | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,343 | $11,151 | $103,037 | 29.3% |
| Hawaii | $145,760 | $24,229 | $11,097 | $11,151 | $99,283 | 31.9% |
| Idaho | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,607 | $11,151 | $102,773 | 29.5% |
| Illinois | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,078 | $11,151 | $103,302 | 29.1% |
| Indiana | $145,760 | $24,229 | $4,446 | $11,151 | $105,934 | 27.3% |
| Iowa | $145,760 | $24,229 | $5,539 | $11,151 | $104,841 | 28.1% |
| Kansas | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,651 | $11,151 | $102,729 | 29.5% |
| Kentucky | $145,760 | $24,229 | $5,704 | $11,151 | $104,676 | 28.2% |
| Louisiana | $145,760 | $24,229 | $5,614 | $11,151 | $104,766 | 28.1% |
| Maine | $145,760 | $24,229 | $8,884 | $11,151 | $101,496 | 30.4% |
| Maryland | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,904 | $11,151 | $103,476 | 29.0% |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,068 | $11,151 | $103,312 | 29.1% |
| Michigan | $145,760 | $24,229 | $5,957 | $11,151 | $104,423 | 28.4% |
| Minnesota | $145,760 | $24,229 | $8,746 | $11,151 | $101,634 | 30.3% |
| Mississippi | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,273 | $11,151 | $104,107 | 28.6% |
| Missouri | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,125 | $11,151 | $104,254 | 28.5% |
| Montana | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,492 | $11,151 | $102,888 | 29.4% |
| Nebraska | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,992 | $11,151 | $103,388 | 29.1% |
| Nevada | $145,760 | $24,229 | $0 | $11,151 | $110,380 | 24.3% |
| New Hampshire | $145,760 | $24,229 | $0 | $11,151 | $110,380 | 24.3% |
| New Jersey | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,159 | $11,151 | $103,221 | 29.2% |
| New Mexico | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,147 | $11,151 | $104,233 | 28.5% |
| New York | $145,760 | $24,229 | $8,074 | $11,151 | $102,306 | 29.8% |
| North Carolina | $145,760 | $24,229 | $5,985 | $11,151 | $104,395 | 28.4% |
| North Dakota | $145,760 | $24,229 | $2,558 | $11,151 | $107,822 | 26.0% |
| Ohio | $145,760 | $24,229 | $3,632 | $11,151 | $106,748 | 26.8% |
| Oklahoma | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,433 | $11,151 | $103,946 | 28.7% |
| Oregon | $145,760 | $24,229 | $12,436 | $11,151 | $97,944 | 32.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $145,760 | $24,229 | $4,475 | $11,151 | $105,905 | 27.3% |
| Rhode Island | $145,760 | $24,229 | $5,688 | $11,151 | $104,692 | 28.2% |
| South Carolina | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,701 | $11,151 | $102,679 | 29.6% |
| South Dakota | $145,760 | $24,229 | $0 | $11,151 | $110,380 | 24.3% |
| Tennessee | $145,760 | $24,229 | $0 | $11,151 | $110,380 | 24.3% |
| Texas | $145,760 | $24,229 | $0 | $11,151 | $110,380 | 24.3% |
| Utah | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,778 | $11,151 | $103,602 | 28.9% |
| Vermont | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,966 | $11,151 | $102,414 | 29.7% |
| Virginia | $145,760 | $24,229 | $7,865 | $11,151 | $102,515 | 29.7% |
| Washington | $145,760 | $24,229 | $0 | $11,151 | $110,380 | 24.3% |
| West Virginia | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,574 | $11,151 | $103,806 | 28.8% |
| Wisconsin | $145,760 | $24,229 | $6,637 | $11,151 | $103,743 | 28.8% |
| Wyoming | $145,760 | $24,229 | $0 | $11,151 | $110,380 | 24.3% |
Top Cities for Lawyer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for lawyers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $160,336 |
| New York, NY | $160,336 |
| San Francisco, CA | $160,336 |
| Boston, MA | $160,336 |
| Hartford, CT | $160,336 |
Calculate Lawyer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Gross Annual
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Total Tax
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Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
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State Tax
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Medicare
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Lawyer
Becoming a lawyer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Lawyer Career Outlook
Employment of lawyers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Lawyer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for lawyers in the US is $145,760, with a typical range from $63,500 to $239,200 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for lawyers include DC, NY, CA. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level lawyers can expect to earn around $94,744 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a lawyer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for lawyers is approximately $70.08, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.