DOL Median (California)
$156,966
vs National
-1.9%
National: $160,000BLS Median (area)
N/A
COL-Adjusted
$113,333
Purchasing power equiv.Salary Comparison
This Location (DOL)
$156,966
-1.9% vs national
National Average (DOL)
$160,000
Baseline
BLS Estimate (This Area)
N/A
No comparison
Purchasing Power Analysis
A Lawyers in California earns $156,966 in nominal terms, which is 1.9% below the national average of $160,000. After adjusting for the local cost of living (index 138.5 vs national 100), this is equivalent to $113,333 in national-average purchasing power.
Tax differences are not included. Only cost-of-living index adjustments are applied.
Top Employers in California
| Employer | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION | $500,000 | 1 |
| Davis Polk Wardwell LLP | $452,500 | 12 |
| WHITE CASE LLP | $357,500 | 13 |
| WEIL GOTSHAL MANGES LLP | $325,000 | 8 |
| BAKER MCKENZIE LLP | $322,500 | 7 |
| Chevron Corporation | $307,816 | 6 |
| SIMPSON THACHER BARTLETT LLP | $305,000 | 11 |
| KIRKLAND ELLIS LLP | $305,000 | 37 |
| FENWICK WEST LLP | $280,000 | 9 |
| Milbank LLP | $280,000 | 13 |
| Infosys Limited | $275,392 | 5 |
| LinkedIn Corporation | $275,000 | 1 |
| TPG Global, LLC | $275,000 | 3 |
| ALLEN OVERY LLP | $272,500 | 9 |
| QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART SULLIVAN, LLP | $255,000 | 4 |
| LATHAM WATKINS LLP | $255,000 | 64 |
| DLA Piper | $255,000 | 11 |
| Arm, Inc. | $250,000 | 1 |
| RECURRENT ENERGY | $250,000 | 1 |
| VINSON & ELKINS LLP | $250,000 | 10 |
Explore More
Top-Paying Metros for Lawyers
New York, IL · $750,000Plainsboro, NJ · $415,000Evergreen, CO · $320,000Lakewood, CO · $320,000Washingon, DC · $305,000Top-Paying Roles in California
Cardiologists · $600,000Physicians, All Other · $301,642General Internal Medicine Physicians · $300,000Pediatricians, General · $254,000Psychiatrists · $237,350Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Lawyers make in California?
The median Lawyers salary in California is $156,966 based on 1,701 DOL filings.
Is California a good place to work as a Lawyers?
A Lawyers in California earns 1.9% less than the national median of $160,000, or $113,333 after adjusting for the local cost of living.
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Source: US Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) public disclosure files (PERM Form ETA-9089 and LCA Form ETA-9035), and US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Salary figures represent employer filings and government survey estimates, not individual worker pay.