The legal profession is often associated with high earnings, but just How Much Money Do Lawyers Make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for lawyers in the United States is around $135,740. The field is also projected to grow, with an expected employment increase of 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
However, lawyer salaries can differ significantly depending on location. The state with the highest average lawyer salary, California, boasts earnings of approximately $201,530 per year. This is a stark contrast to Wyoming, the state with the lowest average salary, where lawyers make around $88,570 annually. Even higher than California is the District of Columbia, where lawyers average $226,510 per year.
To give you a clearer picture, here are the top five and bottom five highest paying states for lawyers:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Lawyers:
- District of Columbia: $226,510
- California: $201,530
- Massachusetts: $196,230
- New York: $188,900
- Delaware: $176,904
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Lawyers:
- Wyoming: $88,570
- Idaho: $96,810
- Montana: $98,170
- Kentucky: $99,840
- Mississippi: $101,240
Average Annual Lawyer Salary by State in 2022
It’s also insightful to examine which states have seen the most significant salary growth for lawyers over the past decade. Rhode Island leads the way with a remarkable increase of 57.86%. Following Rhode Island, the states with the largest salary increases are Massachusetts (+46.03%), Indiana (+44.17%), Wisconsin (+40.40%), and Tennessee (37.70%).
Annual Lawyer Salary Trends in Top 10 States from 2013 to 2022
For a comprehensive view of lawyer salaries across all states and to explore detailed data, refer to resources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook or Legal.io’s Salary Insights. These platforms offer in-depth information to help you understand how much money lawyers make in different regions and specializations.
