Lawyer Salaries by State

New York pays lawyers the most with an average salary of $198,250. The District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts also rank among the highest-paying states for attorneys. These states have major legal markets, large law firms, and high costs of living that drive compensation higher.

The average lawyer salary in the United States is $176,470 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, salaries vary significantly by location, practice area, firm size, and experience level. BigLaw associates at top firms can earn $225,000+ in their first year, while public interest lawyers may earn $55,000-75,000.

South Dakota has among the lowest average lawyer salaries at $94,000. Other lower-paying states include Montana, Wyoming, and West Virginia. However, these states also have significantly lower costs of living, which can make the effective purchasing power comparable to higher-salary states.

Cost of living significantly impacts the real value of lawyer salaries. States like New York and California have the highest nominal salaries but also the highest living costs. A lawyer earning $150,000 in Texas (with no state income tax and lower housing costs) may have more purchasing power than one earning $200,000 in New York City. When evaluating opportunities, consider both salary and local cost of living.

The largest concentrations of lawyers are in California (170,000+), New York (185,000+), Texas (105,000+), and Florida (110,000+). Major legal markets include New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco. These cities host the headquarters of most AmLaw 100 firms and have the highest demand for legal services across all practice areas.