Lawyer Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Lawyers advise clients on legal matters, represent them in court, draft contracts, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. They work across corporate, criminal, family, and civil law.
US Average
$185,840
BLS, May 2025
Best State (Net)
$153,073
Nevada
Take-Home TX
$134,549
on $180,370 · No state tax
Job Growth
8%
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Lawyers (SOC 23-1011)
Key Facts — Lawyer 2026
National median: ~$145,760/year (BLS May 2023 OES); BigLaw associates start at $225,000+
New York and California are the top-paying states for lawyers
Law school debt averages $130,000 — take-home planning is critical
Corporate/M&A and IP lawyers earn 40–65% above median
Public Interest Loan Forgiveness available for government/nonprofit lawyers
US Pay Range
Pay percentiles for Lawyers across the US (BLS, May 2025), with the estimated take-home in Texas.
Bottom 10%
$78,360
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$63,956
25th percentile
$102,990
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$81,283
Median
$159,670
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$120,400
75th percentile
$221,370
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$164,386
Top 10%
$351,600
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$247,504
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate / M&A | $240,504 | +65% |
| Intellectual Property | $211,352 | +45% |
| Securities / Finance | $225,928 | +55% |
| Criminal Defense | $131,184 | -10% |
| Family Law | $116,608 | -20% |
| Personal Injury | $160,336 | +10% |
Best States for Lawyers — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Lawyer Salary by State — All 50 States
BLS average pay in each state (BLS, May 2025) and the estimated take-home for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Average Pay (BLS) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $205,630 | $153,073 | |
| $220,180 | $150,643 | |
| $230,040 | $149,939 | |
| $206,440 | $145,295 | |
| $205,980 | $143,252 | |
| $199,970 | $137,048 | |
| $180,370 | $134,549 | |
| $191,190 | $133,567 | |
| $172,990 | $129,505 | |
| $186,170 | $128,197 | |
| $169,940 | $127,420 | |
| $184,090 | $126,836 | |
13Illinois | $181,240 | $126,317 |
14Indiana | $175,850 | $126,301 |
| $167,890 | $126,019 | |
16Virginia | $179,240 | $124,284 |
17Vermont | $179,630 | $124,276 |
| $163,870 | $123,271 | |
| $162,060 | $122,034 | |
| $169,170 | $121,700 | |
| $171,200 | $119,848 | |
22Utah | $169,480 | $119,564 |
| $174,300 | $119,551 | |
24Missouri | $162,820 | $115,838 |
25Arizona | $157,190 | $115,178 |
| $160,340 | $114,970 | |
| $159,690 | $113,331 | |
28Ohio | $151,140 | $110,849 |
29Maryland | $157,370 | $107,882 |
30Michigan | $148,820 | $106,910 |
31Alabama | $146,630 | $105,592 |
32Iowa | $144,760 | $105,360 |
33Oregon | $156,620 | $104,854 |
| $144,700 | $103,596 | |
| $132,270 | $101,673 | |
| $138,250 | $100,317 | |
| $128,680 | $97,990 | |
38Nebraska | $133,490 | $97,312 |
| $125,050 | $96,738 | |
40Arkansas | $131,680 | $96,597 |
| $127,520 | $94,975 | |
42Kansas | $130,530 | $93,999 |
43Maine | $129,600 | $92,193 |
44Idaho | $125,070 | $91,231 |
| $123,210 | $90,726 | |
46Oklahoma | $122,750 | $90,187 |
47Hawaii | $127,280 | $90,002 |
48Kentucky | $120,730 | $89,656 |
49Montana | $115,830 | $85,133 |
| $108,930 | $81,837 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Lawyer
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Lawyer Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$105,592
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$126,019
net
Arizona
$115,178
net
Arkansas
$96,597
net
California
$149,939
net
Colorado
$145,295
net
Connecticut
$128,197
net
Delaware
$137,048
net
FloridaNo state tax
$122,034
net
Georgia
$133,567
net
Hawaii
$90,002
net
Idaho
$91,231
net
Illinois
$126,317
net
Indiana
$126,301
net
Iowa
$105,360
net
Kansas
$93,999
net
Kentucky
$89,656
net
Louisiana
$94,975
net
Maine
$92,193
net
Maryland
$107,882
net
Massachusetts
$143,252
net
Michigan
$106,910
net
Minnesota
$119,551
net
Mississippi
$81,837
net
Missouri
$115,838
net
Montana
$85,133
net
Nebraska
$97,312
net
NevadaNo state tax
$153,073
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$129,505
net
New Jersey
$126,836
net
New Mexico
$100,317
net
New York
$150,643
net
North Carolina
$114,970
net
North Dakota
$97,990
net
Ohio
$110,849
net
Oklahoma
$90,187
net
Oregon
$104,854
net
Pennsylvania
$121,700
net
Rhode Island
$113,331
net
South Carolina
$103,596
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$101,673
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$123,271
net
TexasNo state tax
$134,549
net
Utah
$119,564
net
Vermont
$124,276
net
Virginia
$124,284
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$127,420
net
West Virginia
$90,726
net
Wisconsin
$119,848
net
WyomingNo state tax
$96,738
net