Salary Outlook
According to the BLS, in 2011, lawyers earned a median average salary of $113,310. The best-paid earned more than $187,199, while the lowest-paid made approximately $54,120. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of San Jose, Calif., Danbury, Conn., and San Francisco.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $69,550.00 |
| 2004 | $83,490.00 |
| 2006 | $90,660.00 |
| 2008 | $95,670.00 |
| 2010 | $129,440.00 |
Average Lawyer Pay vs. All Social Services Jobs
Lawyers make a median average salary of $113,310, which is substantially more than any other social services job. Paralegals earn less than half of what lawyers make, as do patrol officers, high school teachers, and school counselors.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Lawyer | $113,310.00 |
| High School Teacher | $54,270.00 |
| Patrol Officer | $54,230.00 |
| School Counselor | $54,130.00 |
| Paralegal | $46,730.00 |
| Child & Family Social Worker | $40,680.00 |
See Complete List of Best Social Services Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Lawyers
The highest paid in the lawyer profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Jose, CA, Danbury, CT, and San Francisco, CA. The Dothan, AL area also pays well, as does the city of Oxnard, CA.
San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $187,110 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a lawyer working in San Jose, CA is $187,110, which is $73,800 more than the average pay in the profession.
Danbury, CT
Average Salary: $181,630 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a lawyer working in Danbury, CT is $181,630, which is $68,320 more than the average pay in the profession.
San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $175,130 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a lawyer working in San Francisco, CA is $175,130, which is $61,820 more than the average pay in the profession.
Dothan, AL
Average Salary: $172,970 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a lawyer working in Dothan, AL is $172,970, which is $59,660 more than the average pay in the profession.
Oxnard, CA
Average Salary: $169,460 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a lawyer working in Oxnard, CA is $169,460, which is $56,150 more than the average pay in the profession.
