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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Lawyer Salary in District of Columbia

Median Annual in District of Columbia
$195,190/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$93.84/hr
▲ 22% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in District of Columbia

groups Employed in DC
33,070
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$177,605 #2 of 51

Lawyer pay in District of Columbia, explained

Lawyers in District of Columbia earn a median of $195,190 per year ($93.84 per hour), which is 22% above the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $120,580, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $392,750. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within District of Columbia.

Is $195,190 good pay in District of Columbia?

Adjusted for District of Columbia's cost of living (which runs 110% of the U.S. average), that $195,190 is worth about $177,605 in national buying power — ranking District of Columbia #2 for real pay (vs #2 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in District of Columbia

Entry level (10th pct)
$120,580
$57.97/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$195,190
$93.84/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$392,750
$188.82/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs DC
District of Columbia (here) $195,190 $177,605 —
Virginia $167,210 $165,384 +$27,980
Maryland $139,110 $132,537 +$56,080

Lawyer in District of Columbia: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in District of Columbia?

Lawyers in District of Columbia earn a median of $195,190 per year ($93.84 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does District of Columbia pay lawyers well?

At $195,190, District of Columbia pays 22% above the national median for lawyers. An estimated 33,070 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

New York · $207,860 California · $195,080 Massachusetts · $176,680 Delaware · $173,510 Colorado · $168,520 Virginia · $167,210 Connecticut · $163,600 New Jersey · $161,430 Illinois · $160,800 Pennsylvania · $157,180 Minnesota · $155,140 Texas · $154,200

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in District of Columbia

Paralegal $89,750/yr median Financial Analyst $105,780/yr median Accountant $111,530/yr median