Lawyers Salary by State
The national median pay for lawyers is $159,670 a year. By state, it ranges from $91,690 in Mississippi to $207,860 in New York.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $78,360
- 25th percentile
- $102,990
- Median
- $159,670
- 75th percentile
- $221,370
- Top 10%
- $351,600
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 754,500 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $207,860 | +30% | $85,200 | $391,420 | 91,870 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $195,190 | +22% | $120,580 | $392,750 | 33,070 |
| 3 | California | $195,080 | +22% | $97,950 | $369,180 | 95,770 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $176,680 | +11% | $82,100 | $374,410 | 23,560 |
| 5 | Delaware | $173,510 | +9% | $101,200 | $354,910 | 2,920 |
| 6 | Colorado | $168,520 | +6% | $83,350 | $336,970 | 16,720 |
| 7 | Virginia | $167,210 | +5% | $79,330 | $320,220 | 18,580 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $163,600 | +2% | $91,180 | $342,970 | 8,420 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $161,430 | +1% | $93,810 | $328,270 | 23,160 |
| 10 | Illinois | $160,800 | +1% | $82,160 | $330,200 | 33,590 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $157,180 | −2% | $77,100 | $323,370 | 27,170 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $155,140 | −3% | $79,820 | $341,170 | 12,380 |
| 13 | Texas | $154,200 | −3% | $79,340 | $349,490 | 56,580 |
| 14 | Washington | $154,130 | −3% | $94,260 | $298,210 | 12,770 |
| 15 | Nevada | $150,510 | −6% | $96,010 | $414,290 | 6,490 |
| 16 | Alaska | $149,940 | −6% | $86,230 | $281,780 | 1,120 |
| 17 | Maryland | $139,110 | −13% | $81,730 | $269,020 | 13,810 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $138,960 | −13% | $80,710 | $268,270 | 1,840 |
| 19 | Oregon | $138,210 | −13% | $73,610 | $263,790 | 7,150 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $136,180 | −15% | $76,510 | $324,880 | 9,010 |
| 21 | Georgia | $134,830 | −16% | $58,750 | $317,820 | 23,930 |
| 22 | Arizona | $134,260 | −16% | $85,990 | $268,170 | 11,640 |
| 23 | Missouri | $133,450 | −16% | $67,020 | $299,990 | 11,560 |
| 24 | Florida | $133,180 | −17% | $75,530 | $301,050 | 55,210 |
| 25 | Utah | $132,830 | −17% | $59,990 | $347,090 | 7,020 |
| 26 | Alabama | $131,970 | −17% | $62,310 | $249,090 | 6,730 |
| 27 | Ohio | $131,020 | −18% | $69,790 | $269,530 | 19,950 |
| 28 | Michigan | $130,520 | −18% | $77,180 | $238,370 | 16,620 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $127,710 | −20% | $61,610 | $323,720 | 17,000 |
| 30 | Vermont | $127,310 | −20% | $85,510 | $336,450 | 1,330 |
| 31 | Indiana | $126,860 | −21% | $65,750 | $327,960 | 8,970 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $126,760 | −21% | $76,010 | $362,040 | 9,160 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $124,990 | −22% | $73,890 | $179,010 | 2,270 |
| 34 | Iowa | $123,550 | −23% | $63,790 | $268,460 | 3,550 |
| 35 | New Hampshire | $120,810 | −24% | $65,670 | $358,300 | 2,250 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $120,310 | −25% | $63,140 | $301,140 | 7,890 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $119,680 | −25% | $76,100 | $232,890 | 3,380 |
| 38 | Maine | $113,120 | −29% | $76,820 | $215,610 | 2,280 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $109,170 | −32% | $65,030 | $217,700 | 3,490 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $106,880 | −33% | $70,500 | $194,840 | 1,050 |
| 41 | Kansas | $106,650 | −33% | $76,300 | $213,360 | 4,190 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $104,100 | −35% | $50,140 | $227,230 | 10,200 |
| 43 | Montana | $103,720 | −35% | $62,090 | $179,620 | 2,380 |
| 44 | Idaho | $103,400 | −35% | $50,730 | $216,660 | 2,490 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $103,060 | −35% | $57,950 | $207,340 | 6,980 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $102,420 | −36% | $64,950 | $206,370 | 2,440 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $102,040 | −36% | $76,920 | $234,690 | 1,360 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $101,550 | −36% | $63,010 | $187,180 | 5,770 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $100,130 | −37% | $61,170 | $233,950 | 900 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $98,880 | −38% | $49,900 | $220,660 | 3,430 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $91,690 | −43% | $47,670 | $176,750 | 3,100 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Lawyers salary questions
Which state pays lawyers the most?
New York, with a median of $207,860 a year (+30% vs. the national median of $159,670). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays lawyers the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $91,690 a year (−43% vs. national).
Where do most lawyers work?
California has the most jobs, about 95,770, with a median of $195,080.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.