Lawyer Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median lawyer in the San Diego area earns $178,220 a year ($85.68 an hour), 12% above the U.S. median ($159,670) and 9% below the California median ($195,080). Half of the 8,020 lawyers there earn between $135,400 and $223,020.
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $104,140 | $97,950 | $78,360 |
| 25th percentile | $135,400 | $131,120 | $102,990 |
| Median | $178,220 | $195,080 | $159,670 |
| 75th percentile | $223,020 | $277,140 | $221,370 |
| 90th percentile | $336,590 | $369,180 | $351,600 |
| Average | $203,680 | $230,040 | $185,840 |
| Jobs | 8,020 | 95,770 | 754,500 |
San Diego, CA ranks 8th for lawyer pay among the 48 of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas where it is published. Highest: San Jose, CA ($301,320).
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Check my payLawyer pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $301,320
- San Francisco, CA: $212,500
- Los Angeles, CA: $194,410
- New York, NY: $208,880
- Washington, DC: $195,190
- Boston, MA: $183,350
- Denver, CO: $177,380
- Philadelphia, PA: $170,660
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
- Paralegal: $76,300
- All jobs in San Diego, CA
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.