Los Angeles lawyer salary: rankings and context
Here is how that number compares with the rest of the United States, with CA, and with other jobs in Los Angeles.
Lawyer pay in Los Angeles: national and in-state ranking
On a United States league table of 21 metros, Los Angeles comes 5th. One place higher is Washington at US$195,190, one lower is Boston at US$183,350, and San Jose tops the list.
Across CA, the 4 observed metros average US$221,600; Los Angeles is 12% below that and 3rd in the state. The others: San Diego (US$178,220), San Jose (US$301,320) and San Francisco (US$212,500).
Cost of living and take-home in Los Angeles
Living costs are close to the baseline (COL index 100), so the median's buying power, about US$194,400, is near its face value.
Cash rank and buying-power rank match for Los Angeles: 5th of 21.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (18% effective) and about US$13,300 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 12% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$9,750 remains.
Other CA options for lawyers
In San Diego — also in CA — the median is US$178,220 (-8% vs Los Angeles), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,020 less each month.
In San Jose — also in CA — the median is US$301,320 (+55% vs Los Angeles), and the modeled budget leaves US$6,140 more each month.
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$208,880 (+7% vs Los Angeles), and the modeled budget leaves US$920 more each month.
Other Los Angeles jobs compared with lawyer
No tracked occupation in Los Angeles out-earns lawyer (9 roles compared); the runner-up, Software Engineer, sits at US$160,920.
Where Los Angeles stands for junior and senior lawyers
The Los Angeles market rewards seniority more than entry: the 90th percentile (US$375,440) ranks 6th of 21, but the 10th (US$93,980) only 7th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$421,000 at the 90th percentile, +12% against Los Angeles.
The lawyer pay range in Los Angeles
Pay is spread out: US$93,980 at the 10th percentile to US$375,440 at the 90th (4.0×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.