Lawyers Career, Salary and Skills
Lawyers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $159,670 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 754,500. Wage data is published for 431 locations.
Occupation description
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
O*NET code
23-1011.00
Job zone
5
Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$159,670
Hourly median
$76.76
Employment
754,500
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.62 | 4.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.50 | 5.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.50 | 4.88 |
| Active Listening | 4.50 | 5.00 |
| Writing | 4.25 | 4.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.12 | 4.38 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.12 | 4.25 |
| Persuasion | 4.00 | 5.00 |
| Negotiation | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.75 | 4.00 |
Typical tasks
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.
- Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
Technology
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Abacus Data Systems AbacusLaw
- AbacusNext HotDocs
- ADC Legal Systems Perfect Practice
- ADERANT Expert Matter Center
- Adobe Acrobat
- Advanced Technologies Class Act
- AdvantageLaw WinVantage
- Anacomp CaseLogistix
- Argosy Legal Systems Power Closer
- Best Case Solutions Best Case Bankruptcy
- BQE Software BillQuick
- Bridgeway eCounsel
- Canyon Solutions Jcats
Lawyers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Lawyers Salary in CAMedian $195,080 · Employment 95,770
- Lawyers Salary in New York, NYMedian $208,880 · Employment 94,610
- Lawyers Salary in NYMedian $207,860 · Employment 91,870
- Lawyers Salary in TXMedian $154,200 · Employment 56,580
- Lawyers Salary in FLMedian $133,180 · Employment 55,210
- Lawyers Salary in Washington, DCMedian $195,190 · Employment 46,840
- Lawyers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $194,410 · Employment 41,580
- Lawyers Salary in ILMedian $160,800 · Employment 33,590
- Lawyers Salary in DCMedian $195,190 · Employment 33,070
- Lawyers Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $165,660 · Employment 28,320
- Lawyers Salary in PAMedian $157,180 · Employment 27,170
- Lawyers Salary in GAMedian $134,830 · Employment 23,930
Related careers
- Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsNational median $93,790
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue AgentsNational median $62,370
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government ProgramsNational median $54,210
- Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersNational median $72,420
- Title Examiners, Abstractors, and SearchersNational median $58,650
- Compliance OfficersNational median $80,730
- Private Detectives and InvestigatorsNational median $51,220
- Court, Municipal, and License ClerksNational median $48,700
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.