Lawyers Salary in Modesto, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Modesto, CA

Median annual salary $159,220 +5.3% vs national
Median hourly $76.55
10th percentile $79,370
90th percentile —
Employed locally 400
National median $151,160

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Lawyers
in
Modesto, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $79,370
    25th
    $99,770
    50th (median)
    $159,220
    75th
    $214,900

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Lawyers salary vs area income 200% Median Lawyers salary is 100% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Lawyers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $301,320
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $215,090
    Midland, MI $209,430
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $205,900
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $203,450
    California $197,790

    Nearby metros — Lawyers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $301,320
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $215,090
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $205,900
    California $197,790
    Vallejo, CA $196,980
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $194,740

    Related occupations in Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants$60,370
    Legal Support Workers, All Other$78,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Lawyers make per hour in Modesto?

    The median hourly wage for Lawyers in Modesto, CA is $76.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $144.25 or more per hour.

    Is Modesto above or below average for Lawyers salaries?

    The median Lawyers salary in Modesto, CA is 5.3% above the national median of $151,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Lawyers in Modesto?

    Entry-level Lawyers (10th percentile) earn around $79,370 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,770.