What is the average hourly wage for Lawyers?

The median hourly wage for Lawyers is $70.08 per hour. This translates to approximately $145,760 per year working full-time.

What states pay Lawyers the most?

Salaries for Lawyers vary significantly by location. Use the state-by-state table above to see which states offer the highest median wages for this occupation.

What education is needed to become a lawyer?

Typical education required: Doctoral or professional degree.

Lawyers Salary

Name: Lawyers Salary Data
Creator: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
License: https://www.bls.gov/bls/linksite.htm

Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data - May 2024

Median Annual Salary

$145,760

$70.08 / hour

▲ 8% (Faster than average)

Salary Range

$77,253 - $250,707

10th to 90th percentile

Total Employed

813,900

workers nationally

🏛️ Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024 | Updated: Annual | Methodology

Lawyers Salary by Percentile

$77,253 $250,707

10th pct Median: $145,760 90th pct

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
10th (Entry Level)	$77,253	$37.14
25th Percentile	$104,947	$50.46
50th (Median)	$145,760	$70.08
75th Percentile	$201,149	$96.71
90th (Top Earners)	$250,707	$120.53
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024

Top Paying States for Lawyers

#	State	Median Annual	Median Hourly
1	District of Columbia (DC)	$192,403	$92.50
2	California (CA)	$182,200	$87.60
3	Massachusetts (MA)	$177,827	$85.49
4	New York (NY)	$177,827	$85.49
5	New Jersey (NJ)	$174,912	$84.09
6	Connecticut (CT)	$171,997	$82.69
7	Maryland (MD)	$171,997	$82.69
8	Hawaii (HI)	$167,624	$80.59
9	Alaska (AK)	$163,251	$78.49
10	Washington (WA)	$163,251	$78.49
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

About Lawyers

Lawyers work in their specialized field applying expertise and skills to deliver value in their organization. This occupation is part of the legal sector of the U.S. economy.

Education Requirements

Typical Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or professional degree

Job Outlook for Lawyers

Projected Growth

+8%

2022-2032

▲ 8% (Faster than average)

Annual Job Openings

91,600

projected annually

Outlook data based on BLS Employment Projections program. Growth rate is projected change in employment 2022-2032.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Lawyers make?

The median annual salary for Lawyers is $145,760 (BLS OEWS May 2024). Entry-level workers earn around $77,253, while the top 10% earn $250,707 or more.

What is the hourly wage for Lawyers?

Lawyers earn a median hourly wage of $70.08 per hour. Working full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks), this equals approximately $145,760 annually.

Is Lawyers a good-paying career?

With a median salary of $145,760, Lawyers earns above the U.S. median household income. Job outlook: Faster than average (8% growth, 2022-2032).

What education do Lawyers need?

Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization - check with specific employers and BLS OOH for detailed requirements.