Lawyers Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $301,320 +99.3% vs national
Median hourly $144.87
10th percentile $129,350
90th percentile $421,000
Employed locally 6,040
National median $151,160

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Lawyers
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $129,350
    25th
    $176,840
    50th (median)
    $301,320
    75th
    $375,400
    90th
    $421,000

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Lawyers salary vs area income 191% Median Lawyers salary is 91% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Lawyers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Vallejo, CA $196,980

    Nearby metros — Lawyers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $192,800

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants $97,740
    Legal Support Workers, All Other $103,380
    Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers $93,470
    Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators $126,750

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Lawyers make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Lawyers in San Jose, CA is $144.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $202.40 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Lawyers salaries?

    The median Lawyers salary in San Jose, CA is 99.3% 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 San Jose?

    Entry-level Lawyers (10th percentile) earn around $129,350 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $176,840.