Lawyers Salary in California
BLS OEWS May 2025 • 27 metro areas • California
Lawyers in California earn a median salary of $166,723 per year on average across 27 metro and nonmetro areas, +10.3% vs the national median of $151,160. An estimated 87,320 lawyers are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $125,390 to $301,320 depending on location.
$166,723
Avg median salary in California
$301,320
Highest paying metro
$125,390
Lowest paying metro
87,320
Employed in California
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Lawyers salaries by city in California
| Metro area | Median salary | 25th pct | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $301,320 | $176,840 | $375,400 | 6,040 |
| San Francisco, CA | $215,090 | $156,930 | — | 16,940 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $205,900 | $130,420 | — | 40,990 |
| Vallejo, CA | $196,980 | $127,550 | $202,640 | 150 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $192,800 | $133,090 | $219,110 | 200 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $175,780 | $125,150 | $202,380 | 290 |
| Oxnard, CA | $173,410 | $129,790 | $217,940 | 1,030 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $173,160 | $125,300 | $214,310 | 500 |
| Sacramento, CA | $171,120 | $132,750 | $204,370 | 6,730 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $170,380 | $119,990 | $222,720 | 600 |
| Stockton, CA | $168,330 | $112,420 | $182,830 | 510 |
| Salinas, CA | $167,700 | $126,100 | $211,840 | 390 |
| San Diego, CA | $165,000 | $107,700 | $214,990 | 8,990 |
| Fresno, CA | $162,680 | $107,860 | $203,330 | 1,570 |
| Napa, CA | $159,270 | $109,990 | $215,520 | 120 |
| Modesto, CA | $159,220 | $99,770 | $214,900 | 400 |
| Redding, CA | $153,780 | $104,680 | $199,240 | 110 |
| Chico, CA | $151,940 | $130,320 | $214,850 | 80 |
| Hanford, CA | $149,430 | $106,160 | $207,770 | 90 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California | $142,560 | $123,330 | $175,250 | 90 |
| Visalia, CA | $141,620 | $106,480 | $165,800 | 210 |
| North Coast Region of California | $138,950 | $106,730 | $159,930 | 170 |
| El Centro, CA | $137,630 | $113,410 | $173,360 | 90 |
| Yuba City, CA | $137,080 | $100,800 | $199,270 | 90 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $134,280 | $95,950 | $170,410 | 610 |
| Merced, CA | $130,730 | $100,350 | $163,890 | 110 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California | $125,390 | $74,840 | $168,860 | 220 |