378 metro areas
Lawyer Salary by City (2026)
Lawyers earn the most in San Francisco, CA, an average of $237,060 a year, against $185,840 nationally. After local prices, pay goes furthest in Bridgeport, CT ($216,830 in national-average dollars). Every metro area with its own BLS estimate is ranked below.
- US average (mean)
- $185,840BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Highest-paying city
- $237,060San Francisco, CA
- Best after cost of living
- $216,830Bridgeport, CT
- Metro areas
- 378With their own estimate
Top cities
Highest-paying cities for lawyers
Top 10 metro areas
- San Francisco, CA$237,060
- Bridgeport, CT$231,710
- Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV$226,780
- New York, NY-NJ$224,850
- Boston, MA-NH$215,680
- Las Vegas, NV$207,920
- Atlanta, GA$206,960
- Reno, NV$206,210
- Denver, CO$203,690
- San Diego, CA$203,670
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $237,060 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $231,710 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $226,780 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $224,850 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $215,680 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $207,920 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $206,960 |
| Reno, NV | $206,210 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $203,690 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $203,670 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Mean wage ÷ BEA price level
- Bridgeport, CT$231,710 nominal$216,830
- Midland, TX$203,400 nominal$212,360
- Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV$226,780 nominal$208,280
- Las Vegas, NV$207,920 nominal$207,470
- Atlanta, GA$206,960 nominal$206,840
- San Francisco, CA$237,060 nominal$205,050
- Reno, NV$206,210 nominal$204,140
- New York, NY-NJ$224,850 nominal$199,750
- Boston, MA-NH$215,680 nominal$199,210
- Houston, TX$193,400 nominal$196,090
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $216,830 |
| Midland, TX | $212,360 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $208,280 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $207,470 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $206,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $205,050 |
| Reno, NV | $204,140 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $199,750 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $199,210 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $196,090 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 · BEA RPP 2024
Every city
Lawyer salary in every metro area
Mean annual wage, with the Department of Labor's entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) prevailing-wage benchmarks for the same metro, and the mean at national-average prices. Sorted by mean pay.
| # | Metro area | Mean | Entry (Level I) | Experienced (Level IV) | At US prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $151,990 | $356,470 | N/A |
| 2 | Santa Rosa, CA | $239,200+ | $106,270 | $319,220 | N/A |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $239,200+ | $108,350 | $307,090 | N/A |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $237,060 | $115,650 | $296,860 | $205,050 |
| 5 | Bridgeport, CT | $231,710 | $113,840 | $289,760 | $216,830 |
| 6 | Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $226,780 | $129,600 | $274,640 | $208,280 |
| 7 | New York, NY-NJ | $224,850 | $106,660 | $283,050 | $199,750 |
| 8 | Boston, MA-NH | $215,680 | $100,280 | $272,520 | $199,210 |
| 9 | Las Vegas, NV | $207,920 | $101,550 | $260,310 | $207,470 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $206,960 | $73,920 | $272,480 | $206,840 |
| 11 | Reno, NV | $206,210 | $107,270 | $254,950 | $204,140 |
| 12 | Denver, CO | $203,690 | $101,550 | $254,010 | $192,560 |
| 13 | San Diego, CA | $203,670 | $115,810 | $246,960 | $182,030 |
| 14 | Midland, TX | $203,400 | $84,800 | $261,810 | $212,360 |
| 15 | Modesto, CA | $195,460 | $100,110 | $242,420 | $187,750 |
| 16 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $193,770 | $96,510 | $241,680 | $178,430 |
| 17 | Houston, TX | $193,400 | $93,560 | $242,570 | $196,090 |
| 18 | Hanford, CA | $193,170 | $89,790 | $244,090 | $190,110 |
| 19 | Oxnard, CA | $191,110 | $103,190 | $234,420 | $172,900 |
| 20 | Dallas, TX | $188,640 | $90,290 | $237,080 | $182,990 |
| 21 | Milwaukee, WI | $187,570 | $84,030 | $238,560 | $193,500 |
| 22 | Chicago, IL-IN | $187,430 | $95,530 | $232,690 | $180,930 |
| 23 | Sacramento, CA | $187,010 | $102,500 | $228,650 | $175,320 |
| 24 | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $186,600 | $98,900 | $229,800 | $181,950 |
| 25 | Charlotte, NC-SC | $186,010 | $73,670 | $241,340 | $191,080 |
| 26 | Austin, TX | $184,640 | $93,430 | $229,550 | $188,280 |
| 27 | Fresno, CA | $183,930 | $88,000 | $231,170 | $180,040 |
| 28 | Minneapolis, MN-WI | $183,120 | $98,180 | $224,950 | $174,700 |
| 29 | Stockton, CA | $181,830 | $108,850 | $217,800 | $173,020 |
| 30 | Seattle, WA | $180,920 | $105,060 | $218,280 | $162,800 |
| 31 | Rochester, NY | $180,460 | $89,210 | $225,390 | $185,970 |
| 32 | Sheboygan, WI | $179,280 | $75,170 | $230,550 | $190,700 |
| 33 | Manchester, NH | $178,940 | $83,240 | $226,100 | $169,360 |
| 34 | Santa Maria, CA | $178,730 | $89,560 | $222,640 | $164,280 |
| 35 | Kalamazoo, MI | $178,610 | $78,690 | $227,820 | $188,330 |
| 36 | Salinas, CA | $178,550 | $97,220 | $218,610 | $163,740 |
| 37 | Waterbury, CT | $177,300 | $94,600 | $218,030 | $177,690 |
| 38 | Salt Lake City, UT | $177,200 | $75,090 | $227,490 | $175,680 |
| 39 | Napa, CA | $175,280 | $95,200 | $214,740 | $155,730 |
| 40 | Anchorage, AK | $174,870 | $99,820 | $211,810 | $165,880 |
| 41 | New Haven, CT | $174,080 | $91,890 | $214,550 | $166,490 |
| 42 | Miami, FL | $173,970 | $85,920 | $217,340 | $152,400 |
| 43 | Richmond, VA | $173,410 | $85,260 | $216,820 | $177,210 |
| 44 | Nashville, TN | $172,970 | $92,230 | $212,760 | $179,540 |
| 45 | Peoria, IL | $171,790 | $83,030 | $215,490 | $188,300 |
| 46 | Terre Haute, IN | $171,290 | $80,410 | $216,050 | $195,100 |
| 47 | Vallejo, CA | $170,980 | $89,440 | $211,140 | $157,620 |
| 48 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $170,640 | $78,440 | $216,050 | $186,570 |
| 49 | Hartford, CT | $170,120 | $94,950 | $207,130 | $165,570 |
| 50 | Odessa, TX | $169,920 | $92,410 | $208,060 | $180,970 |
| 51 | Fort Wayne, IN | $169,520 | $83,120 | $212,060 | $183,120 |
| 52 | Santa Cruz, CA | $169,270 | $78,500 | $213,970 | $154,030 |
| 53 | San Antonio, TX | $169,120 | $95,080 | $205,590 | $178,550 |
| 54 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $167,880 | $78,080 | $212,120 | $176,550 |
| 55 | College Station, TX | $167,000 | $91,350 | $204,260 | $183,620 |
| 56 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $166,230 | $80,100 | $208,640 | $179,620 |
| 57 | Provo, UT | $166,130 | $81,470 | $207,830 | $169,120 |
| 58 | Birmingham, AL | $165,900 | $81,160 | $207,650 | $181,030 |
| 59 | Fort Collins, CO | $165,550 | $83,390 | $206,020 | $163,700 |
| 60 | Kiryas Joel, NY | $164,780 | $89,610 | $201,800 | $150,590 |
| 61 | Jackson, TN | $164,670 | $81,740 | $205,520 | $192,550 |
| 62 | Raleigh, NC | $164,240 | $80,310 | $205,570 | $167,320 |
| 63 | Portland, OR-WA | $164,090 | $84,700 | $203,200 | $155,650 |
| 64 | Appleton, WI | $164,010 | $79,580 | $205,590 | $177,460 |
| 65 | Madison, WI | $163,780 | $84,300 | $202,920 | $168,350 |
| 66 | Green Bay, WI | $163,010 | $79,120 | $204,320 | $175,120 |
| 67 | North Port, FL | $162,800 | $86,470 | $200,410 | $158,960 |
| 68 | Pueblo, CO | $161,280 | $79,540 | $201,550 | $175,760 |
| 69 | Phoenix, AZ | $161,240 | $94,390 | $194,170 | $156,060 |
| 70 | Ithaca, NY | $160,930 | $87,840 | $196,930 | $155,760 |
| 71 | Trenton, NJ | $160,740 | $97,590 | $191,840 | $155,790 |
| 72 | Champaign, IL | $160,490 | $83,260 | $198,540 | $173,120 |
| 73 | Killeen, TX | $160,140 | $92,190 | $193,610 | $175,720 |
| 74 | Pittsburgh, PA | $159,760 | $76,320 | $200,870 | $168,750 |
| 75 | Cleveland, OH | $159,700 | $79,870 | $199,040 | $170,030 |
| 76 | Virginia Beach, VA-NC | $159,660 | $81,830 | $198,020 | $163,020 |
| 77 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $159,520 | $78,370 | $199,490 | $173,050 |
| 78 | Durham, NC | $159,270 | $68,270 | $204,090 | $163,230 |
| 79 | Des Moines, IA | $159,220 | $74,820 | $200,800 | $173,630 |
| 80 | Beaumont, TX | $158,930 | $78,750 | $198,410 | $176,500 |
| 81 | Salem, OR | $158,620 | $89,750 | $192,550 | $153,040 |
| 82 | Greenville, SC | $158,390 | $76,320 | $198,830 | $169,840 |
| 83 | Corpus Christi, TX | $158,140 | $64,210 | $204,400 | $170,650 |
| 84 | Charlottesville, VA | $157,910 | $83,450 | $194,580 | $159,270 |
| 85 | El Centro, CA | $157,830 | $107,450 | $182,640 | $165,830 |
| 86 | Utica, NY | $157,560 | $82,120 | $194,730 | $170,010 |
| 87 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $157,440 | $78,890 | $196,100 | $176,970 |
| 88 | Providence, RI-MA | $157,310 | $89,290 | $190,820 | $154,570 |
| 89 | Merced, CA | $156,890 | $86,880 | $191,380 | $159,640 |
| 90 | Niles, MI | $156,750 | $78,350 | $195,350 | $169,700 |
| 91 | Palm Bay, FL | $156,580 | $79,440 | $194,580 | $156,570 |
| 92 | Grand Rapids, MI | $156,480 | $84,340 | $192,000 | $163,770 |
| 93 | Syracuse, NY | $156,330 | $84,950 | $191,510 | $163,280 |
| 94 | Springfield, MO | $155,940 | $74,340 | $196,120 | $176,030 |
| 95 | Norwich, CT | $155,810 | $85,970 | $190,220 | $155,120 |
| 96 | Orlando, FL | $155,770 | $84,970 | $190,630 | $153,590 |
| 97 | Waterloo, IA | $155,770 | $69,660 | $198,180 | $178,930 |
| 98 | Carson City, NV | $155,750 | $111,160 | $177,690 | $158,720 |
| 99 | Fayetteville, AR | $155,630 | $72,590 | $196,540 | $170,360 |
| 100 | Flagstaff, AZ | $155,600 | $86,650 | $189,570 | $155,100 |
| 101 | Sebastian, FL | $155,540 | $78,770 | $193,340 | $158,220 |
| 102 | Eau Claire, WI | $155,420 | $73,760 | $195,640 | $167,490 |
| 103 | Bakersfield, CA | $155,150 | $85,990 | $189,240 | $153,790 |
| 104 | Oshkosh, WI | $154,650 | $79,520 | $191,650 | $166,420 |
| 105 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $154,420 | $81,660 | $190,260 | $154,070 |
| 106 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $154,320 | $78,540 | $191,650 | $161,810 |
| 107 | Rochester, MN | $154,210 | $84,820 | $188,390 | $169,800 |
| 108 | Baltimore, MD | $154,190 | $93,310 | $184,180 | $147,570 |
| 109 | Columbus, OH | $154,090 | $85,470 | $187,910 | $161,400 |
| 110 | Pensacola, FL | $153,900 | $78,480 | $191,070 | $157,500 |
| 111 | Kennewick, WA | $153,860 | $89,500 | $185,560 | $153,740 |
| 112 | Roanoke, VA | $153,590 | $88,340 | $185,740 | $164,060 |
| 113 | Ann Arbor, MI | $153,320 | $83,680 | $187,620 | $151,980 |
| 114 | Greeley, CO | $152,980 | $82,490 | $187,680 | $152,710 |
| 115 | Detroit, MI | $152,960 | $83,930 | $186,950 | $152,510 |
| 116 | Cape Coral, FL | $152,800 | $77,330 | $189,970 | $149,290 |
| 117 | Waco, TX | $152,730 | $86,880 | $185,160 | $165,020 |
| 118 | Sherman, TX | $152,590 | $86,880 | $184,950 | $162,730 |
| 119 | Worcester, MA | $152,380 | $71,820 | $192,070 | $148,630 |
| 120 | El Paso, TX | $152,360 | $90,600 | $182,790 | $169,450 |
| 121 | Burlington, VT | $152,030 | $92,440 | $181,380 | $150,600 |
| 122 | Winston, NC | $151,960 | $62,770 | $195,890 | $165,100 |
| 123 | Grand Junction, CO | $151,820 | $78,440 | $187,950 | $159,010 |
| 124 | Greensboro, NC | $151,820 | $72,720 | $190,800 | $163,480 |
| 125 | Duluth, MN-WI | $151,320 | $77,770 | $187,530 | $170,470 |
| 126 | Brunswick, GA | $151,220 | $71,930 | $190,280 | $172,410 |
| 127 | Davenport, IA-IL | $150,990 | $77,460 | $187,200 | $169,500 |
| 128 | Atlantic City, NJ | $150,570 | $80,830 | $184,930 | $152,310 |
| 129 | Albany, NY | $150,510 | $88,920 | $180,860 | $151,170 |
| 130 | Panama City, FL | $150,510 | $73,990 | $188,200 | $154,690 |
| 131 | Spartanburg, SC | $150,260 | $70,700 | $189,450 | $165,030 |
| 132 | Ogden, UT | $150,050 | $77,110 | $185,970 | $149,530 |
| 133 | Deltona, FL | $149,530 | $77,380 | $185,080 | $150,480 |
| 134 | Visalia, CA | $149,450 | $97,640 | $174,950 | $149,710 |
| 135 | Charleston, SC | $149,300 | $77,130 | $184,870 | $147,880 |
| 136 | Columbus, IN | $149,200 | $76,320 | $185,100 | $160,420 |
| 137 | Watertown, NY | $149,200 | $84,260 | $181,170 | $170,140 |
| 138 | Omaha, NE-IA | $149,070 | $80,850 | $182,690 | $162,190 |
| 139 | Tampa, FL | $148,950 | $79,410 | $183,190 | $147,640 |
| 140 | Knoxville, TN | $148,910 | $83,890 | $180,940 | $160,860 |
| 141 | Reading, PA | $148,700 | $77,670 | $183,660 | $153,200 |
| 142 | Glens Falls, NY | $148,600 | $80,330 | $182,230 | $156,640 |
| 143 | Tyler, TX | $148,430 | $81,700 | $181,290 | $161,060 |
| 144 | Elmira, NY | $148,200 | $89,150 | $177,300 | $156,990 |
| 145 | Tucson, AZ | $147,830 | $80,810 | $180,860 | $152,570 |
| 146 | Michigan City, IN | $147,800 | $69,410 | $186,430 | $161,210 |
| 147 | Fond du Lac, WI | $147,700 | $82,200 | $179,960 | $161,170 |
| 148 | Decatur, AL | $147,620 | $77,650 | $182,060 | $169,270 |
| 149 | Binghamton, NY | $147,600 | $81,560 | $180,130 | $158,940 |
| 150 | Janesville, WI | $147,600 | $77,600 | $182,080 | $157,520 |
| 151 | Akron, OH | $147,260 | $74,380 | $183,160 | $157,720 |
| 152 | Lynchburg, VA | $147,240 | $73,010 | $183,810 | $164,770 |
| 153 | Lexington Park, MD | $147,220 | $89,230 | $175,780 | $146,110 |
| 154 | Cleveland, TN | $147,080 | $79,850 | $180,190 | $166,980 |
| 155 | Evansville, IN | $146,720 | $72,840 | $183,120 | $160,300 |
| 156 | Harrisburg, PA | $146,680 | $84,880 | $177,110 | $148,690 |
| 157 | Bremerton, WA | $146,040 | $94,810 | $171,270 | $138,290 |
| 158 | Allentown, PA-NJ | $146,020 | $65,920 | $185,450 | $146,070 |
| 159 | Jacksonville, FL | $145,930 | $76,770 | $180,000 | $146,690 |
| 160 | Yuba City, CA | $145,850 | $77,420 | $179,570 | $139,930 |
| 161 | Kenosha, WI | $145,660 | $79,830 | $178,070 | $144,050 |
| 162 | Wausau, WI | $145,520 | $71,990 | $181,730 | $157,060 |
| 163 | Albany, OR | $145,290 | $88,380 | $173,330 | $142,300 |
| 164 | Amarillo, TX | $144,980 | $78,750 | $177,590 | $157,900 |
| 165 | Lakeland, FL | $144,910 | $80,520 | $176,650 | $149,170 |
| 166 | Wenatchee, WA | $144,750 | $87,070 | $173,160 | $139,380 |
| 167 | Salisbury, MD | $144,560 | $81,140 | $175,800 | $151,190 |
| 168 | New Orleans, LA | $144,250 | $65,210 | $183,190 | $155,780 |
| 169 | Erie, PA | $144,230 | $76,770 | $177,440 | $158,580 |
| 170 | Medford, OR | $144,230 | $87,380 | $172,240 | $142,190 |
| 171 | Kingston, NY | $143,670 | $86,420 | $171,850 | $142,660 |
| 172 | Mobile, AL | $143,670 | $73,260 | $178,360 | $163,080 |
| 173 | Buffalo, NY | $143,440 | $78,170 | $175,590 | $149,660 |
| 174 | Huntsville, AL | $143,250 | $69,060 | $179,800 | $153,910 |
| 175 | Springfield, IL | $143,120 | $82,970 | $172,760 | $154,320 |
| 176 | Redding, CA | $142,900 | $86,260 | $170,810 | $141,930 |
| 177 | Lancaster, PA | $142,810 | $79,370 | $174,050 | $145,340 |
| 178 | Kankakee, IL | $142,730 | $79,540 | $173,850 | $148,070 |
| 179 | Iowa City, IA | $142,540 | $78,480 | $174,100 | $155,770 |
| 180 | Wilmington, NC | $142,460 | $70,760 | $177,800 | $147,750 |
| 181 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $142,440 | $79,560 | $173,410 | $164,760 |
| 182 | Harrisonburg, VA | $142,330 | $75,840 | $175,090 | $149,990 |
| 183 | Wildwood, FL | $142,310 | $83,760 | $171,160 | $166,590 |
| 184 | Traverse City, MI | $141,920 | $71,700 | $176,510 | $151,990 |
| 185 | Corvallis, OR | $141,730 | $77,670 | $173,280 | $136,260 |
| 186 | Toledo, OH | $141,710 | $68,310 | $177,880 | $154,950 |
| 187 | York, PA | $141,560 | $78,940 | $172,390 | $147,460 |
| 188 | Springfield, MA | $141,520 | $75,900 | $173,830 | $147,320 |
| 189 | Fairbanks, AK | $141,110 | $88,150 | $167,190 | $136,720 |
| 190 | Albuquerque, NM | $141,000 | $80,790 | $170,660 | $147,570 |
| 191 | Savannah, GA | $140,960 | $79,810 | $171,080 | $148,060 |
| 192 | Crestview, FL | $140,550 | $79,680 | $170,520 | $144,850 |
| 193 | Goldsboro, NC | $140,320 | $66,790 | $176,550 | $158,620 |
| 194 | Yakima, WA | $140,210 | $90,460 | $164,720 | $146,750 |
| 195 | Alexandria, LA | $139,710 | $61,900 | $178,030 | $163,050 |
| 196 | Columbia, SC | $139,570 | $69,490 | $174,100 | $149,010 |
| 197 | Kingsport, TN-VA | $139,480 | $82,330 | $167,630 | $161,350 |
| 198 | Portland, ME | $139,480 | $82,240 | $167,690 | $136,940 |
| 199 | Hilton Head Island, SC | $139,260 | $65,600 | $175,530 | $142,080 |
| 200 | Bend, OR | $139,010 | $75,800 | $170,120 | $134,170 |
| 201 | Boise City, ID | $138,670 | $77,600 | $168,730 | $140,940 |
| 202 | Colorado Springs, CO | $138,440 | $76,540 | $168,940 | $137,470 |
| 203 | Kahului, HI | $138,130 | $90,000 | $161,840 | $126,270 |
| 204 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $138,010 | $85,610 | $163,800 | $152,280 |
| 205 | Lubbock, TX | $137,780 | $73,280 | $169,540 | $150,880 |
| 206 | La Crosse, WI-MN | $137,700 | $67,450 | $172,290 | $150,050 |
| 207 | San Angelo, TX | $137,490 | $85,720 | $162,990 | $148,710 |
| 208 | St. George, UT | $137,470 | $74,510 | $168,480 | $141,250 |
| 209 | Victoria, TX | $137,380 | $79,600 | $165,860 | $152,920 |
| 210 | Valdosta, GA | $137,220 | $63,920 | $173,330 | $155,450 |
| 211 | Abilene, TX | $137,180 | $68,430 | $171,040 | $151,810 |
| 212 | Fargo, ND-MN | $137,180 | $78,500 | $166,090 | $150,960 |
| 213 | Santa Fe, NM | $137,130 | $93,580 | $158,600 | $138,840 |
| 214 | Racine, WI | $136,930 | $75,520 | $167,170 | $142,690 |
| 215 | Lafayette, IN | $136,550 | $67,890 | $170,350 | $146,150 |
| 216 | Lansing, MI | $136,470 | $83,660 | $162,470 | $143,670 |
| 217 | Bloomington, IL | $136,450 | $54,810 | $176,650 | $145,880 |
| 218 | Chico, CA | $136,120 | $72,650 | $167,380 | $134,510 |
| 219 | Rockford, IL | $136,090 | $74,900 | $166,230 | $147,680 |
| 220 | Winchester, VA-WV | $135,990 | $76,590 | $165,260 | $141,000 |
| 221 | South Bend, IN-MI | $135,950 | $71,550 | $167,670 | $146,410 |
| 222 | Jonesboro, AR | $135,890 | $55,390 | $175,550 | $158,240 |
| 223 | Saginaw, MI | $135,840 | $76,480 | $165,090 | $149,450 |
| 224 | Myrtle Beach, SC | $135,780 | $70,260 | $168,040 | $145,000 |
| 225 | Montgomery, AL | $135,740 | $78,810 | $163,780 | $151,360 |
| 226 | Asheville, NC | $135,490 | $69,410 | $168,020 | $140,400 |
| 227 | Spokane, WA | $135,490 | $81,970 | $161,870 | $135,020 |
| 228 | Johnson City, TN | $135,450 | $63,000 | $171,140 | $154,050 |
| 229 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $135,390 | $75,030 | $165,110 | $145,460 |
| 230 | Sumter, SC | $135,280 | $71,490 | $166,710 | $153,690 |
| 231 | Dayton, OH | $135,050 | $71,840 | $166,190 | $145,690 |
| 232 | Barnstable Town, MA | $134,990 | $68,390 | $167,810 | $137,250 |
| 233 | Bloomington, IN | $134,950 | $75,610 | $164,170 | $141,930 |
| 234 | Muncie, IN | $134,950 | $73,240 | $165,360 | $153,090 |
| 235 | Walla Walla, WA | $134,910 | $96,100 | $154,020 | $136,940 |
| 236 | Prescott Valley, AZ | $134,660 | $84,300 | $159,470 | $137,050 |
| 237 | St. Cloud, MN | $134,660 | $77,750 | $162,680 | $153,670 |
| 238 | Olympia, WA | $134,560 | $96,050 | $153,520 | $129,800 |
| 239 | Blacksburg, VA | $134,490 | $71,030 | $165,730 | $145,070 |
| 240 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $134,180 | $75,590 | $163,050 | $151,920 |
| 241 | Dubuque, IA | $134,060 | $70,080 | $165,590 | $153,510 |
| 242 | Laredo, TX | $133,870 | $85,200 | $157,830 | $153,950 |
| 243 | Little Rock, AR | $133,600 | $57,840 | $170,910 | $149,500 |
| 244 | Mankato, MN | $133,560 | $76,670 | $161,600 | $146,840 |
| 245 | Longview, TX | $133,520 | $62,750 | $168,360 | $149,210 |
| 246 | Youngstown, OH | $133,470 | $67,660 | $165,880 | $152,720 |
| 247 | Yuma, AZ | $133,290 | $75,610 | $161,680 | $143,780 |
| 248 | Dothan, AL | $133,060 | $67,660 | $165,260 | $158,720 |
| 249 | Canton, OH | $132,950 | $69,620 | $164,150 | $148,700 |
| 250 | Auburn, AL | $132,930 | $61,550 | $168,110 | $151,170 |
| 251 | Bellingham, WA | $132,720 | $88,520 | $154,500 | $128,440 |
| 252 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $132,680 | $76,090 | $160,580 | $145,890 |
| 253 | Macon, GA | $132,500 | $68,910 | $163,820 | $149,670 |
| 254 | Kokomo, IN | $132,480 | $65,120 | $165,650 | $147,780 |
| 255 | Columbia, MO | $132,290 | $69,350 | $163,280 | $147,910 |
| 256 | Chambersburg, PA | $132,080 | $70,260 | $162,530 | $139,560 |
| 257 | Augusta, GA-SC | $131,910 | $75,730 | $159,580 | $143,530 |
| 258 | Lafayette, LA | $131,600 | $69,010 | $162,430 | $150,900 |
| 259 | Morristown, TN | $131,540 | $64,190 | $164,720 | $152,310 |
| 260 | Morgantown, WV | $131,520 | $74,570 | $159,580 | $140,930 |
| 261 | Las Cruces, NM | $131,390 | $66,890 | $163,160 | $145,650 |
| 262 | Eugene, OR | $131,290 | $79,640 | $156,730 | $129,260 |
| 263 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | $131,250 | $74,630 | $159,120 | $133,530 |
| 264 | Wichita, KS | $131,250 | $78,520 | $157,210 | $147,560 |
| 265 | Amherst Town, MA | $131,160 | $73,960 | $159,330 | $130,840 |
| 266 | Flint, MI | $130,830 | $79,910 | $155,900 | $140,630 |
| 267 | Grants Pass, OR | $130,830 | $86,010 | $152,900 | $133,830 |
| 268 | Bismarck, ND | $130,730 | $80,930 | $155,270 | $143,620 |
| 269 | McAllen, TX | $130,690 | $70,010 | $160,560 | $152,150 |
| 270 | Ames, IA | $130,540 | $71,780 | $159,490 | $146,950 |
| 271 | Fayetteville, NC | $130,520 | $66,680 | $161,950 | $141,900 |
| 272 | Eagle Pass, TX | $130,330 | $77,920 | $156,150 | $155,520 |
| 273 | Florence, SC | $130,310 | $57,700 | $166,070 | $150,170 |
| 274 | Wichita Falls, TX | $130,080 | $77,170 | $156,150 | $145,320 |
| 275 | Tallahassee, FL | $130,060 | $78,670 | $155,380 | $138,480 |
| 276 | Tulsa, OK | $130,060 | $59,860 | $164,630 | $145,780 |
| 277 | Gainesville, FL | $130,020 | $75,980 | $156,640 | $134,410 |
| 278 | State College, PA | $129,520 | $75,190 | $156,290 | $133,850 |
| 279 | Battle Creek, MI | $129,360 | $74,280 | $156,480 | $142,870 |
| 280 | Sandusky, OH | $129,360 | $70,680 | $158,270 | $144,890 |
| 281 | Columbus, GA-AL | $129,080 | $60,280 | $162,970 | $144,550 |
| 282 | Sebring, FL | $129,040 | $77,360 | $154,520 | $139,550 |
| 283 | Lexington, KY | $128,940 | $71,760 | $157,120 | $138,810 |
| 284 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $128,630 | $69,390 | $157,790 | $153,110 |
| 285 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $128,020 | $69,660 | $156,770 | $145,940 |
| 286 | Hickory, NC | $127,750 | $59,950 | $161,140 | $144,370 |
| 287 | Monroe, MI | $127,500 | $69,470 | $156,100 | $136,380 |
| 288 | Lawrence, KS | $126,650 | $78,440 | $150,400 | $140,340 |
| 289 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $126,590 | $77,940 | $150,550 | $114,090 |
| 290 | Longview, WA | $126,510 | $89,210 | $144,870 | $129,690 |
| 291 | Decatur, IL | $126,440 | $74,110 | $152,210 | $143,000 |
| 292 | Rocky Mount, NC | $126,440 | $58,660 | $159,850 | $143,660 |
| 293 | Sierra Vista, AZ | $126,210 | $92,190 | $142,980 | $141,420 |
| 294 | Staunton, VA | $126,070 | $73,530 | $151,940 | $138,340 |
| 295 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $125,880 | $54,390 | $161,080 | $146,560 |
| 296 | Gettysburg, PA | $125,860 | $72,590 | $152,110 | $131,960 |
| 297 | Dalton, GA | $125,590 | $62,090 | $156,890 | $139,790 |
| 298 | Pittsfield, MA | $125,440 | $68,990 | $153,250 | $131,890 |
| 299 | Bangor, ME | $125,150 | $74,590 | $150,050 | $129,680 |
| 300 | Vineland, NJ | $124,880 | $79,190 | $147,410 | $130,130 |
| 301 | Casper, WY | $124,450 | $66,100 | $153,170 | $132,630 |
| 302 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $124,340 | $62,030 | $155,040 | $143,940 |
| 303 | Manhattan, KS | $124,160 | $73,780 | $148,970 | $137,710 |
| 304 | Weirton, WV-OH | $124,070 | $63,400 | $153,960 | $139,370 |
| 305 | Burlington, NC | $123,660 | $60,400 | $154,790 | $132,690 |
| 306 | Williamsport, PA | $123,410 | $67,930 | $150,740 | $133,630 |
| 307 | Lake Havasu City, AZ | $123,360 | $81,120 | $144,190 | $131,100 |
| 308 | Brownsville, TX | $123,180 | $62,460 | $153,090 | $143,270 |
| 309 | Lewiston, ID-WA | $123,050 | $73,420 | $147,490 | $134,980 |
| 310 | Oklahoma City, OK | $123,050 | $61,110 | $153,550 | $136,110 |
| 311 | Albany, GA | $122,720 | $60,510 | $153,360 | $139,980 |
| 312 | Minot, ND | $122,470 | $78,230 | $144,270 | $140,720 |
| 313 | Warner Robins, GA | $122,450 | $66,850 | $149,840 | $130,560 |
| 314 | Billings, MT | $122,350 | $74,980 | $145,680 | $130,820 |
| 315 | Lake Charles, LA | $121,990 | $58,220 | $153,420 | $142,090 |
| 316 | Bay City, MI | $121,580 | $74,800 | $144,620 | $132,270 |
| 317 | Logan, UT-ID | $121,430 | $70,970 | $146,290 | $126,590 |
| 318 | Punta Gorda, FL | $121,200 | $57,720 | $152,460 | $120,570 |
| 319 | Hagerstown, MD-WV | $121,120 | $77,230 | $142,730 | $128,620 |
| 320 | Cheyenne, WY | $120,910 | $71,490 | $145,250 | $125,310 |
| 321 | Athens, GA | $120,890 | $63,170 | $149,320 | $129,510 |
| 322 | Lewiston, ME | $120,850 | $75,800 | $143,040 | $127,570 |
| 323 | Charleston, WV | $120,240 | $73,110 | $143,480 | $135,530 |
| 324 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $120,020 | $64,020 | $147,600 | $139,430 |
| 325 | Rapid City, SD | $119,680 | $78,020 | $140,210 | $134,230 |
| 326 | Jefferson City, MO | $119,560 | $72,010 | $142,960 | $135,900 |
| 327 | Anniston, AL | $119,500 | $66,560 | $145,580 | $139,040 |
| 328 | Farmington, NM | $119,350 | $67,480 | $144,890 | $136,080 |
| 329 | Lebanon, PA | $119,100 | $63,020 | $146,720 | $127,770 |
| 330 | Jackson, MS | $118,080 | $63,670 | $144,890 | $132,600 |
| 331 | Pinehurst, NC | $118,020 | $66,330 | $143,460 | $133,600 |
| 332 | Joplin, MO-KS | $117,980 | $61,010 | $146,040 | $137,640 |
| 333 | Huntington, WV-KY-OH | $117,940 | $61,210 | $145,890 | $133,380 |
| 334 | Homosassa Springs, FL | $117,870 | $68,410 | $142,230 | $126,110 |
| 335 | Hot Springs, AR | $117,670 | $58,740 | $146,680 | $137,260 |
| 336 | Hinesville, GA | $117,520 | $67,890 | $141,960 | $125,110 |
| 337 | Johnstown, PA | $117,290 | $67,480 | $141,810 | $136,500 |
| 338 | Bozeman, MT | $117,020 | $69,930 | $140,190 | $114,150 |
| 339 | Monroe, LA | $116,830 | $53,060 | $148,260 | $139,750 |
| 340 | Lincoln, NE | $116,770 | $71,240 | $139,210 | $127,500 |
| 341 | Scranton, PA | $116,000 | $53,790 | $146,640 | $123,990 |
| 342 | Florence, AL | $115,590 | $61,590 | $142,190 | $136,280 |
| 343 | Shreveport, LA | $115,540 | $59,470 | $143,170 | $136,300 |
| 344 | Helena, MT | $115,170 | $80,770 | $132,120 | $120,380 |
| 345 | Topeka, KS | $114,520 | $78,730 | $132,160 | $128,930 |
| 346 | Daphne, AL | $114,230 | $62,130 | $139,900 | $120,640 |
| 347 | Missoula, MT | $114,210 | $78,350 | $131,870 | $118,420 |
| 348 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,090 | $44,990 | $145,140 | $123,470 |
| 349 | Pocatello, ID | $112,010 | $54,970 | $140,090 | $125,990 |
| 350 | Muskegon, MI | $111,510 | $66,210 | $133,810 | $120,530 |
| 351 | Parkersburg, WV | $111,400 | $68,830 | $132,390 | $127,950 |
| 352 | Twin Falls, ID | $111,220 | $58,280 | $137,280 | $120,750 |
| 353 | Idaho Falls, ID | $110,970 | $53,500 | $139,280 | $117,540 |
| 354 | Rome, GA | $110,510 | $68,160 | $131,370 | $122,570 |
| 355 | Altoona, PA | $110,180 | $67,580 | $131,140 | $123,100 |
| 356 | Greenville, NC | $109,990 | $46,380 | $141,320 | $124,420 |
| 357 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $109,800 | $74,340 | $127,280 | $126,700 |
| 358 | Great Falls, MT | $109,680 | $68,160 | $130,150 | $113,250 |
| 359 | Owensboro, KY | $109,240 | $66,230 | $130,420 | $123,280 |
| 360 | Gulfport, MS | $108,930 | $49,670 | $138,130 | $121,030 |
| 361 | Bowling Green, KY | $107,700 | $63,210 | $129,630 | $119,430 |
| 362 | Arecibo, PR | $106,810 | $53,410 | $133,120 | N/A |
| 363 | Elizabethtown, KY | $106,450 | $64,040 | $127,360 | $117,530 |
| 364 | Paducah, KY-IL | $106,290 | $59,970 | $129,130 | $123,470 |
| 365 | Springfield, OH | $106,270 | $67,200 | $125,510 | $117,450 |
| 366 | Grand Island, NE | $106,160 | $67,120 | $125,380 | $122,510 |
| 367 | Lima, OH | $104,480 | $49,000 | $131,810 | $116,520 |
| 368 | Mansfield, OH | $103,400 | $58,280 | $125,610 | $116,350 |
| 369 | Hattiesburg, MS | $103,020 | $52,670 | $127,820 | $117,560 |
| 370 | Hammond, LA | $103,000 | $44,820 | $131,660 | $121,950 |
| 371 | Houma, LA | $101,710 | $47,780 | $128,250 | $119,510 |
| 372 | Slidell, LA | $101,630 | $44,350 | $129,850 | $109,600 |
| 373 | Aguadilla, PR | $101,440 | $51,190 | $126,190 | N/A |
| 374 | Jacksonville, NC | $100,380 | $52,120 | $124,160 | $109,010 |
| 375 | Gadsden, AL | $99,380 | $53,440 | $122,030 | $116,030 |
| 376 | Beckley, WV | $99,320 | $66,850 | $115,320 | $112,390 |
| 377 | Enid, OK | $99,050 | $59,530 | $118,500 | $117,540 |
| 378 | Lawton, OK | $94,410 | $60,550 | $111,090 | $109,850 |
More
More on lawyers
Method
About these numbers
- Mean wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 estimates for each metropolitan statistical area, as published in the Department of Labor’s 2026–27 OFLC prevailing-wage file. Only metros with their own BLS estimate are listed.
- Entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) are the Department of Labor’s prevailing-wage levels for the occupation in that metro, used for employer visa filings. They are benchmarks from the same OEWS survey, not percentiles.
- OEWS top-codes wages at $115 an hour ($239,200 a year); top-coded means are shown as "$239,200+" and left out of rankings.
- At US prices divides the mean by the metro’s BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) over 100, a NueCareer calculation.
Questions
Lawyer salary by city: FAQ
Which city pays lawyers the most?
San Francisco, CA, where the average (mean) wage is $237,060 a year, followed by Bridgeport, CT ($231,710), Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV ($226,780), New York, NY-NJ ($224,850). The national mean is $185,840 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Where do lawyers earn the most after cost of living?
Divided by each metro's BEA price level, pay goes furthest in Bridgeport, CT ($216,830 at national prices, $231,710 nominal), Midland, TX ($212,360 at national prices, $203,400 nominal), Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV ($208,280 at national prices, $226,780 nominal).
How much do lawyers make in the biggest cities?
New York, NY-NJ: $224,850; Los Angeles, CA: $239,200+; Chicago, IL-IN: $187,430; Dallas, TX: $188,640; Houston, TX: $193,400 (mean annual wage, BLS OEWS May 2025).
Where do lawyers earn the least?
Of the 378 metro areas with their own estimate, Lawton, OK has the lowest mean wage, $94,410. At local prices that is worth $109,850.