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Lawyer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$159,670median pay per year, or $76.76 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $78,360lowest 10% earn less
  2. $102,99025th percentile
  3. $159,670median
  4. $221,37075th percentile
  5. $351,600top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

A lawyer in the US earned a median of $159,670 a year in May 2025, far above the typical pay for all jobs[1][2]. Getting there usually takes about 7 years of full-time schooling beyond high school, followed by a state bar exam[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+4.7%[6]
Openings per year
28,700[7]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[8]

How much do lawyers make?

The median wage for lawyers was $159,670 a year, or $76.76 an hour, in May 2025[1]. The average was higher, at $185,840 a year and $89.35 an hour[9]. When the average sits this far above the median, a group of top earners is pulling it up[1][9].

For comparison, the median across all US occupations was $50,980[2]. A typical lawyer earned more than three times that amount[1][2].

Pay varies a lot from one lawyer to the next. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $78,360 a year, while the top 10% earned more than $351,600[5]. Here is the full spread[1][5][10]:

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th[5][10] $78,360 $37.67
25th[5][10] $102,990 $49.51
50th (median)[1] $159,670 $76.76
75th[5][10] $221,370 $106.43
90th[5][10] $351,600 $169.04

These numbers cover wage and salary workers only, and they do not include benefits. They leave out self-employed lawyers, who made up 11.3% of the occupation in 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Where you work makes a big difference. New York had the highest state median for lawyers at $207,860, followed by the District of Columbia at $195,190 and California at $195,080[12]. Massachusetts ($176,680) and Delaware ($173,510) came next[12]. Mississippi had the lowest median, at $91,690[12].

Some cities pay even more. Among metro areas with at least 100 lawyer jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $301,320[13]. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area came second at $212,500, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ was third at $208,880[13].

The most jobs are in large states. California had 95,770 lawyer jobs and New York had 91,870, followed by Texas, Florida and Illinois[14]. Big job markets do not always pay above the national median. Texas ($154,200) and Florida ($133,180) both came in below the US figure of $159,670[12][1]. Among metro areas, New York led with 94,610 jobs, ahead of the Washington, DC area (46,840) and Los Angeles (41,580)[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
New York[12]$207,86091,870
District of Columbia$195,19033,070
California$195,08095,770
Massachusetts$176,68023,560
Delaware$173,5102,920
Colorado$168,52016,720
Virginia$167,21018,580
Connecticut$163,6008,420
New Jersey$161,43023,160
Illinois$160,80033,590
Pennsylvania$157,18027,170
Minnesota$155,14012,380
Texas$154,20056,580
Washington$154,13012,770
Nevada$150,5106,490
Alaska$149,9401,120
Maryland$139,11013,810
Rhode Island$138,9601,840
Oregon$138,2107,150
Tennessee$136,1809,010
Georgia$134,83023,930
Arizona$134,26011,640
Missouri$133,45011,560
Florida$133,18055,210
Utah$132,8307,020
Alabama$131,9706,730
Ohio$131,02019,950
Michigan$130,52016,620
North Carolina$127,71017,000
Vermont$127,3101,330
Indiana$126,8608,970
Wisconsin$126,7609,160
Hawaii$124,9902,270
Iowa$123,5503,550
New Hampshire$120,8102,250
South Carolina$120,3107,890
New Mexico$119,6803,380
Maine$113,1202,280
Nebraska$109,1703,490
North Dakota$106,8801,050
Kansas$106,6504,190
Louisiana$104,10010,200
Montana$103,7202,380
Idaho$103,4002,490
Oklahoma$103,0606,980
West Virginia$102,4202,440
South Dakota$102,0401,360
Kentucky$101,5505,770
Wyoming$100,130900
Arkansas$98,8803,430
Mississippi$91,6903,100

How to become a lawyer

To work as a lawyer you need two things: a law degree and a license from a state[4]. Getting that license usually means passing the bar exam[4][16].

1) Finish a bachelor's degree. This usually takes 4 years[3]. Most law schools do not ask for a set major. Popular picks include history, social science, and law and legal studies[3]. 2) Apply to law school. Schools may look at your score on a national admissions exam that tests reasoning, writing and other skills for studying law[17]. 3) Earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.). Law school usually takes 3 years[3]. Most states and jurisdictions want the J.D. to come from an accredited school, where classes cover subjects such as contracts, civil procedure and constitutional law[18]. 4) Get experience while in school. After the first or second year, students may qualify for summer internships or part-time jobs at law firms, government agencies and company legal departments[19]. Doing well in one can lead to a job offer after graduation[19]. 5) Pass the bar exam. This is the licensing exam for lawyers, and the score can transfer to other jurisdictions that accept it[16]. 6) Pass a character review. In most states, a board must also decide that you are fit to advise and act for clients[20]. Past felony convictions, academic misconduct or a history of substance abuse can count against an applicant[20]. 7) Get admitted to the bar. The highest court in each state sets its own admission rules, and federal courts have different ones[21].

Some graduates work as a judicial clerk before they practice law, often for a set term of 1 or 2 years, which helps them build legal skills[22].

Certain fields ask for more. Patent lawyers typically need a science or engineering degree, credits or background, and they must pass a separate exam run by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office[23]. Tax lawyers may choose to add a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in tax after the J.D.[23].

The license is tied to a state. To practice in another one, you usually have to meet its licensing rules too, though most states have reciprocity agreements that make this easier[24]. After admission, states may require continuing legal education to keep the license active[25].

BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education, with no related work experience or on-the-job training required[8]. In an ONET survey of 22 workers, 77% said the job requires a doctoral degree and 23% said a first professional degree[26]. ONET puts the job in Job Zone Five, its group for work that needs extensive preparation[27].

What lawyers do

Lawyers represent clients in criminal and civil cases and other legal matters. They also write legal documents and advise clients on deals and transactions[28]. Some focus on one area of law, while others cover many areas[28]. Common job titles include attorney, counsel, general counsel and district attorney[29].

Typical tasks include:

Where they work

Legal services was the largest employer of lawyers, with 52% of them in 2025[31].

Lawyers spend most of their time in offices[32]. They may travel to visit clients at their homes or in prisons, and to go to court[32]. The job can be stressful, for example during a trial or close to a deadline[33].

BLS says most lawyers work full time, and some go beyond 40 hours a week[34]. Self-employed lawyers may have more freedom to set their own schedules[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects lawyer employment to rise 4.7% between 2025 and 2035, going from about 863,700 jobs to 904,300[6]. That is a bit faster than the 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[35].

About 28,700 openings for lawyers are expected each year, on average[7]. That count includes jobs that open up when lawyers retire or switch to other work, not just newly created positions[7]. Each year, about 1.6% of lawyers are expected to leave the labor force and 1.2% to move to a different occupation[36].

The projection counts include self-employed lawyers. That is one reason they are higher than the 754,500 wage and salary jobs counted in the May 2025 pay survey[6][37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to high pay at the end of a long path. The median of $159,670 is far above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2], but getting in usually takes 7 years of schooling beyond high school, then a bar exam and a character review[3][16][20]. Pay is spread wide, from under $78,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to over $351,600 for the top 10%[5], and state medians run highest in New York, DC and California[12]. Expected job growth of 4.7% through 2035 is slightly above the 3.5% rate for all occupations[6][35]. The job may suit people who can handle pressure around trials and deadlines and who are ready for full-time weeks that sometimes run longer[33][34].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a lawyer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for lawyers was $76.76 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37.67 an hour, and the top 10% earned more than $169.04[10].
How long does it take to become a lawyer?
It usually takes 7 years of full-time schooling beyond high school, made up of 4 years of college and 3 years of law school[3]. After that you need to pass the bar exam and be admitted to the bar in your state[16][21].
What degree do you need to be a lawyer?
Most states and jurisdictions require a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school[18]. Before that you need a bachelor's degree, and most law schools do not require a specific major[3].
What is the highest paying state for lawyers?
New York had the highest state median for lawyers, at $207,860 a year[12]. Among metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA was highest at $301,320[13].
Are lawyers in demand?
BLS projects 4.7% job growth for lawyers from 2025 to 2035, a little above the 3.5% for all occupations[6][35]. About 28,700 openings are expected each year[7].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Lawyers in the US was $159,670 per year and $76.76 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  4. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Lawyers: 10th percentile $78,360, 25th percentile $102,990, 75th percentile $221,370, 90th percentile $351,600. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Lawyers is projected to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 863,700 to 904,300 jobs (a change of +40,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 28,700 openings for Lawyers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Lawyers: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Lawyers was $185,840 per year and $89.35 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Lawyers: 10th percentile $37.67, 25th percentile $49.51, 75th percentile $106.43, 90th percentile $169.04. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 11.3% of Lawyers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Lawyers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Lawyers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $301,320; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $212,500; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $208,880; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $195,190; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $194,410; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $185,520; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $183,350; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $181,560. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Lawyers jobs: California 95,770; New York 91,870; Texas 56,580; Florida 55,210; Illinois 33,590. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Lawyers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 94,610 (median $208,880); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 46,840 (median $195,190); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 41,580 (median $194,410); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 28,320 (median $165,660); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 23,270 (median $160,320); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 20,080 (median $183,350). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET 23-1011.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 77%, First Professional Degree 23% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 23-1011.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET description of Lawyers. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 23-1011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Attorney, Attorney at Law, Attorney General, Counsel, County Attorney, District Attorney, General Counsel, Lawyer. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Lawyers. O*NET OnLine
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of lawyers in 2025: Legal services 52%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Lawyers: 1.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 1.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 754,500 people were employed as Lawyers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Wages are BLS OEWS estimates for May 2025 and cover wage and salary workers. They do not include self-employed workers, tips are included only where employers report them, and benefits are not included. BLS does not publish a 'starting salary'. The 10th and 25th percentile wages show what lower-paid workers earn, which often includes people new to the job. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.