Legal Los Angeles · 2026 +3.5% YoY proj.

Lawyer / Attorney Salary in Los Angeles

Entertainment, tech, aerospace — sprawling and high-paying. Here's how Lawyer / Attorneys in Los Angeles get paid in 2026.

$215,600
Median Lawyer / Attorney salary in Los Angeles, Q1 2026.
Versus US median ($158,500): +36% · Versus California state ($241,000): -11%
Range: $163,900 (P25) → $280,300 (P75) → $355,800 (P90).
Pay distribution · 2026
P25
$163,900
MEDIAN
$215,600
P75
$280,300
P90
$355,800
By Tenure

Lawyer / Attorney Salary by Experience in Los Angeles

How pay scales with career stage in the Los Angeles metro market.

ExperienceMedian 202625th %75th %
Entry (0–1 yr)$150,900$114,700$196,200
Junior (2–4 yrs)$187,500$142,500$243,800
Mid-Level (5–9 yrs)$215,600$163,900$280,300
Senior (10–14 yrs)$258,700$196,600$336,300
Veteran (15+ yrs)$293,200$222,900$381,200
Metro Comparison

Lawyer / Attorney Pay in Other Top US Metros

Highest-paying metros for Lawyer / Attorneys — useful if you're weighing a relocation.

Los Angeles Pay Map

Highest-Paying Jobs in Los Angeles

Top occupations by median pay across the Los Angeles metro economy.

→ See full Los Angeles salary guide for all 100 jobs

FAQ

Lawyer / Attorney Salary in Los Angeles: FAQ

What is the average Lawyer / Attorney salary in Los Angeles?

The average Lawyer / Attorney salary in the Los Angeles metro is $215,600 per year as of 2026, with a typical range of $163,900 to $280,300 (25th–75th percentile). Top earners (90th percentile) make $355,800 or more.

Does Los Angeles pay more than the rest of California?

Yes — Los Angeles pays -11% relative to the California state median for Lawyer / Attorneys. Major metros typically concentrate higher-paying employers and command a wage premium over rural and small-city areas in the same state.

How does Los Angeles compare to other US metros for Lawyer / Attorney pay?

Los Angeles vs. national: +36%. That puts Los Angeles among the stronger US markets for Lawyer / Attorneys — though cost of living in Los Angeles is also typically elevated.

What experience level does $215,600 represent?

In Los Angeles, the median Lawyer / Attorney salary of $215,600 typically corresponds to 5–9 years of experience (mid-level). Entry-level Lawyer / Attorneys in Los Angeles start around $150,900, while seniors (10+ years) reach $258,700 or more.

Personal Audit

Are you underpaid as a Lawyer / Attorney in Los Angeles?

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