Introduction to Average Lawyer Salary by State
Lawyers are one of the most sought after professionals in the United States. They are responsible for providing legal advice and representation to their clients. Additionally, they help to settle disputes between parties, draft legal documents, and handle a variety of other tasks. Consequently, lawyers are highly respected and compensated for their hard work and expertise. As a result, it is not surprising that the average lawyer salary by state varies significantly.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides data on the average wages for lawyers by state. According to their research, the national median annual wages for lawyers in 2019 was $122,960. However, lawyers earn significantly different wages depending on the state in which they are employed. For example, the median annual wage in California was $165,260, while the median annual wage in Mississippi was $90,600. In this article, we will take a closer look at the average lawyer salary by state.
Average Lawyer Salary by State
The average lawyer salary by state varies significantly. For example, according to the BLS, the median annual wage for lawyers in California was $165,260, while the median annual wage for lawyers in Mississippi was $90,600. In addition, the median annual wage for lawyers in New York was $173,550. The median annual wage for lawyers in Illinois was $164,030. The median annual wage for lawyers in Texas was $145,320.
Other states with higher than average lawyer salaries include Virginia ($148,660), Georgia ($143,780), Pennsylvania ($139,280), and Florida ($134,670). On the other hand, states with lower than average lawyer salaries include South Dakota ($104,940), North Dakota ($105,140), Montana ($105,150), and Wyoming ($105,900).
It is also important to note that the cost of living in each state will also affect the average lawyer salary. For example, the cost of living in California is much higher than in Mississippi, so the median annual wage in California is higher even though the median annual wage in Mississippi is lower.
Factors That Impact the Average Lawyer Salary by State
There are a variety of factors that can affect the average lawyer salary by state. The type of law practiced, the number of years of experience, the size of the law firm, and the geographical location are all important factors that can impact the average lawyer salary.
For example, lawyers who specialize in corporate law tend to earn higher salaries than lawyers who practice family law or criminal law. In addition, lawyers with more experience often earn higher salaries than lawyers who have just graduated from law school. Furthermore, lawyers who work at larger law firms tend to earn higher salaries than lawyers who work at smaller firms.
Finally, the geographical location can also impact the average lawyer salary by state. For example, lawyers in large metropolitan areas tend to earn higher salaries than lawyers in rural areas. In addition, lawyers who practice in states with higher costs of living tend to earn higher salaries than lawyers in states with lower costs of living.
Average Lawyer Salary by Type of Law
The type of law practiced can also impact the average lawyer salary by state. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for lawyers specializing in corporate law was $177,020 in 2019. On the other hand, the median annual wage for criminal lawyers was $122,960. In addition, the median annual wage for family law attorneys was $120,910, while the median annual wage for real estate attorneys was $119,250.
Average Lawyer Salary by Firm Size
The size of the law firm can also have an impact on the average lawyer salary. According to the BLS, lawyers employed at large firms tend to earn higher salaries than lawyers employed at small firms. For example, the median annual wage for lawyers employed at large firms was $163,530 in 2019, while the median annual wage for lawyers employed at small firms was $112,160.
Average Lawyer Salary by Years of Experience
The number of years of experience can also affect the average lawyer salary by state. According to the BLS, lawyers with one to four years of experience earned a median annual wage of $90,400 in 2019, while lawyers with five to nine years of experience earned a median annual wage of $117,290. Furthermore, lawyers with 10 to 19 years of experience earned a median annual wage of $139,880, while lawyers with 20 or more years of experience earned a median annual wage of $168,140.
Conclusion
The average lawyer salary by state can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors. The type of law practiced, the number of years of experience, the size of the law firm, and the geographical location all have an impact on the average lawyer salary. Furthermore, the cost of living in a particular state can also affect the average lawyer salary. Therefore, it is important to consider all of these factors when researching the average lawyer salary by state.
