Lawyer Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Lawyers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $194,410 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $128,382 take-home, or $10,698 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$35,392
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,819
- California income tax$13,851
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,527
- Take-home pay$128,382
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Lawyer pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,980 | $45.18 | $69,213 | $5,768 |
| 25th percentile | $128,630 | $61.84 | $89,779 | $7,482 |
| Median (50th) | $194,410 | $93.47 | $128,382 | $10,698 |
| 75th percentile | $271,790+ | $130.67 | $172,907 | $14,409 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $375,440+ | $180.50 | $226,873 | $18,906 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $194,410 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $128,382 take-home pay has the buying power of $113,046 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA has 1.4× the national concentration of lawyer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #14 of 47 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $188,293 | $170,520 |
| 2 | Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | $119,372 | $130,256 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $208,880 | $144,183 | $128,091 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $212,500 | $139,838 | $120,953 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $157,980 | $119,245 | $120,903 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $170,660 | $122,673 | $119,618 |
| 14 | Los Angeles, CA | $194,410 | $128,382 | $113,046 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 47 metros →
About the job: lawyers
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Lawyer salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $239,200+
- San Francisco, CA — $212,500
- Sacramento, CA — $178,540
- San Diego, CA — $178,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median lawyer salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $194,410 a year, or about $93.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $128,630 and $239,200+.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $194,410 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $128,382 a year ($10,698 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $16,378 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $113,046 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #14 of 47 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Los Angeles, CA
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $77,520