Lawyer Salary in Sacramento, CA
Lawyers in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn a median $178,540 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $118,602 take-home, or $9,884 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$31,584
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,069
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,589
- California income tax$12,375
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,321
- Take-home pay$118,602
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Sacramento, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,540 | $38.72 | $61,182 | $5,099 |
| 25th percentile | $128,420 | $61.74 | $89,658 | $7,472 |
| Median (50th) | $178,540 | $85.84 | $118,602 | $9,884 |
| 75th percentile | $209,650 | $100.79 | $138,041 | $11,503 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $284,610+ | $136.83 | $179,596 | $14,966 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $178,540 buys in Sacramento, CA
Prices in Sacramento, CA are 6.7% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.30× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $118,602 take-home pay has the buying power of $111,186 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Sacramento, 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
Sacramento, CA ranks #29 of 149 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 | Peoria, IL | $161,150 | $113,580 | $124,497 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 6 | Chattanooga, TN | $147,640 | $112,178 | $122,647 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $163,380 | $122,936 | $121,702 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 29 | Sacramento, CA | $178,540 | $118,602 | $111,186 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 149 metros →
Lawyer salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $239,200+
- San Francisco, CA — $212,500
- Los Angeles, CA — $194,410
- Santa Rosa, CA — $181,560
- Oxnard, CA — $185,520
- Stockton, CA — $174,880
- Fresno, CA — $162,680
- San Diego, CA — $178,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Sacramento, CA?
The median lawyer salary in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area is $178,540 a year, or about $85.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $128,420 and $209,650.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Sacramento, CA?
On the median $178,540 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $118,602 a year ($9,884 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $14,696 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 6.7% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $111,186 would in a typical U.S. city. Sacramento, CA ranks #29 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Sacramento, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Sacramento, CA is $1,812 a month ($2,241 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Sacramento, CA
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $78,550