Lawyer Salary Calculator
Median lawyer pay is $159,670 a year. See pay by state and calculate your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax and FICA.
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About the Lawyer Salary Calculator
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), the median lawyer salary is $159,670 a year (about $76.76 an hour). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $78,360 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $351,600. The mean annual wage is $185,840 and about 754,500 people work in this occupation.
How to use it
- Leave the annual salary at the national median or type your own pay.
- Choose your state and filing status and add any 401(k) contribution.
- Press Calculate take-home pay to see your lawyer pay per year, month, paycheck and hour.
Lawyer salary by state (2026)
District of Columbia pays lawyers the most, with an average of $242,800 a year, and Mississippi pays the least at $108,930. State averages come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025). The monthly take-home column is an estimate for a single filer using the 2026 federal standard deduction, Social Security, Medicare and each state's 2026 income tax brackets.
Highest-paying states: District of Columbia ($242,800), California ($230,040), New York ($220,180), Colorado ($206,440), Massachusetts ($205,980).
Lowest-paying states: Mississippi ($108,930), Montana ($115,830), Kentucky ($120,730), Oklahoma ($122,750), West Virginia ($123,210).
| State | Average annual salary | Est. take-home / month |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $242,800 | $14,871 |
| California | $230,040 | $12,743 |
| New York | $220,180 | $12,638 |
| Colorado | $206,440 | $12,108 |
| Massachusetts | $205,980 | $11,938 |
| Nevada | $205,630 | $12,756 |
| Delaware | $199,970 | $11,421 |
| Georgia | $191,190 | $11,088 |
| Connecticut | $186,170 | $10,800 |
| New Jersey | $184,090 | $10,629 |
| Illinois | $181,240 | $10,526 |
| Texas | $180,370 | $11,212 |
| Vermont | $179,630 | $10,348 |
| Virginia | $179,240 | $10,357 |
| Indiana | $175,850 | $10,525 |
| Minnesota | $174,300 | $9,963 |
| New Hampshire | $172,990 | $10,792 |
| Wisconsin | $171,200 | $10,049 |
| Washington | $169,940 | $10,618 |
| Utah | $169,480 | $10,037 |
| Pennsylvania | $169,170 | $10,142 |
| Alaska | $167,890 | $10,502 |
| Tennessee | $163,870 | $10,273 |
| Missouri | $162,820 | $9,653 |
| Florida | $162,060 | $10,170 |
| North Carolina | $160,340 | $9,581 |
| Rhode Island | $159,690 | $9,536 |
| Maryland | $157,370 | $9,294 |
| Arizona | $157,190 | $9,582 |
| Oregon | $156,620 | $8,759 |
| Ohio | $151,140 | $9,266 |
| Michigan | $148,820 | $8,909 |
| Alabama | $146,630 | $8,702 |
| Iowa | $144,760 | $8,780 |
| South Carolina | $144,700 | $8,554 |
| New Mexico | $138,250 | $8,360 |
| Nebraska | $133,490 | $8,109 |
| South-Dakota | $132,270 | $8,473 |
| Arkansas | $131,680 | $8,029 |
| Kansas | $130,530 | $7,833 |
| Maine | $129,600 | $7,673 |
| North Dakota | $128,680 | $8,164 |
| Louisiana | $127,520 | $7,916 |
| Hawaii | $127,280 | $7,510 |
| Idaho | $125,070 | $7,603 |
| Wyoming | $125,050 | $8,061 |
| West Virginia | $123,210 | $7,540 |
| Oklahoma | $122,750 | $7,516 |
| Kentucky | $120,730 | $7,471 |
| Montana | $115,830 | $7,094 |
| Mississippi | $108,930 | $6,820 |
Click a state to see a full paycheck breakdown. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Lawyer pay and take-home by percentile (no state income tax)
| Level | Gross a year | Per hour | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% (cut-off) | $78,360 | $37.67 | $5,330 |
| Median | $159,670 | $76.76 | $10,033 |
| Highest 10% (cut-off) | $351,600 | $169.04 | $20,625 |
Single filer, 2026 federal standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare. Pay varies by employer, experience, shift differentials and overtime. The median is a national figure, not an offer or a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How much do lawyers make a year?
The median pay for lawyers was $159,670 a year ($76.76 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $78,360 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $351,600.
How much does a lawyer take home after taxes?
On the national median of $159,670, a single filer in a state with no income tax keeps about $120,400 a year ($10,033 a month) after federal income tax and FICA. Use the calculator above for your state.
Which state pays lawyers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest average pay for lawyers, about $242,800 a year, followed by California ($230,040) and New York ($220,180), according to BLS May 2025 data.
What is the hourly pay for lawyers?
The median is about $76.76 an hour, based on 2,080 working hours a year. The mean wage across the country is $185,840 a year.
What is the lowest-paying state for lawyers?
Mississippi has the lowest average pay at about $108,930 a year. Pay depends on cost of living, employer, experience and demand.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Estimates only, not tax or financial advice.