Lawyer Salary in Washington, DC
Updated
The median lawyer in the Washington area earns $195,190 a year ($93.84 an hour), 22% above the U.S. median ($159,670). Half of the 46,840 lawyers there earn between $161,470 and $309,140.
Median $195,190
10th: $106,52090th: $382,890
| Annual pay | Washington area | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $106,520 | $78,360 |
| 25th percentile | $161,470 | $102,990 |
| Median | $195,190 | $159,670 |
| 75th percentile | $309,140 | $221,370 |
| 90th percentile | $382,890 | $351,600 |
| Average | $226,780 | $185,840 |
| Jobs | 46,840 | 754,500 |
Washington, DC ranks 4th 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
- New York, NY: $208,880
- Los Angeles, CA: $194,410
- Boston, MA: $183,350
- Sacramento, CA: $178,540
- San Diego, CA: $178,220
- Denver, CO: $177,380
- All cities
Similar jobs in Washington, DC
- Paralegal: $81,590
- All jobs in Washington, DC
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.