Lawyers Salary in Washington DC, DC
Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $
Median Salary
$180,000
Average Salary
$201,000
Salary Range
$90,000 - $248,000
Est. Employment*
6,100
*Employment figures are estimates based on national occupational data distributed across metro areas. Actual local numbers may vary.
Search Jobs on IndeedSalary Distribution
10th to 90th percentile range. Half of all lawyers earn between $130,000 and $221,000.
About Lawyers in Washington DC
Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes. They research laws, draft legal documents, negotiate settlements, and advocate for clients in courtrooms and before regulatory bodies.
In Washington DC, lawyers benefit from higher salaries that reflect the area's elevated cost of living. The area's major industries include Federal Government, Government Contracting, Cybersecurity.
Key Skills
Education
Juris Doctor (JD) degree for lawyers; associate's or bachelor's degree for support roles
Lawyers must earn a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and pass the state bar exam. Paralegals and legal assistants typically need an associate's or bachelor's degree, and some earn professional certifications.
Tips to Earn More as a Lawyers
Lawyers Salary in Other Cities
| City | Median | Range | vs Washington DC |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $204,000 | $102,000 - $280,000 | +13% |
| San Jose, CA | $202,000 | $101,000 - $278,000 | +12% |
| Seattle, WA | $191,000 | $96,000 - $263,000 | +6% |
| Boston, MA | $183,000 | $92,000 - $252,000 | +2% |
| New York, NY | $179,000 | $90,000 - $246,000 | -1% |
| San Diego, CA | $172,000 | $86,000 - $236,000 | -4% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $168,000 | $84,000 - $231,000 | -7% |
| Denver, CO | $164,000 | $82,000 - $226,000 | -9% |
| Austin, TX | $163,000 | $82,000 - $224,000 | -9% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $162,000 | $81,000 - $223,000 | -10% |
| Portland, OR | $162,000 | $81,000 - $223,000 | -10% |
| Sacramento, CA | $161,000 | $80,000 - $221,000 | -11% |
| Honolulu, HI | $161,000 | $80,000 - $221,000 | -11% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $159,000 | $80,000 - $219,000 | -12% |
| Baltimore, MD | $158,000 | $79,000 - $217,000 | -12% |
| Hartford, CT | $157,000 | $78,000 - $216,000 | -13% |
| Anchorage, AK | $156,000 | $78,000 - $214,000 | -13% |
| Houston, TX | $152,000 | $76,000 - $209,000 | -16% |
| Dallas, TX | $150,000 | $82,000 - $201,000 | -17% |
| Atlanta, GA | $150,000 | $82,000 - $201,000 | -17% |
| Chicago, IL | $149,000 | $82,000 - $199,000 | -17% |
| Raleigh, NC | $148,000 | $81,000 - $198,000 | -18% |
| Detroit, MI | $147,000 | $81,000 - $197,000 | -18% |
| Charlotte, NC | $146,000 | $80,000 - $195,000 | -19% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $146,000 | $80,000 - $195,000 | -19% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $145,000 | $80,000 - $194,000 | -19% |
| Nashville, TN | $143,000 | $79,000 - $191,000 | -21% |
| Richmond, VA | $142,000 | $78,000 - $190,000 | -21% |
| Kansas City, MO | $141,000 | $78,000 - $189,000 | -22% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $141,000 | $78,000 - $189,000 | -22% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $141,000 | $78,000 - $189,000 | -22% |
| Columbus, OH | $140,000 | $77,000 - $187,000 | -22% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $139,000 | $76,000 - $186,000 | -23% |
| Orlando, FL | $138,000 | $76,000 - $185,000 | -23% |
| Cleveland, OH | $138,000 | $76,000 - $185,000 | -23% |
| Buffalo, NY | $138,000 | $76,000 - $185,000 | -23% |
| Toronto, ON | $138,000 | $76,000 - $185,000 | -23% |
| Miami, FL | $137,000 | $75,000 - $183,000 | -24% |
| Tampa, FL | $137,000 | $75,000 - $183,000 | -24% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $137,000 | $75,000 - $183,000 | -24% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $137,000 | $75,000 - $183,000 | -24% |
| St. Louis, MO | $136,000 | $75,000 - $182,000 | -24% |
| San Antonio, TX | $135,000 | $74,000 - $181,000 | -25% |
| New Orleans, LA | $135,000 | $74,000 - $181,000 | -25% |
| Birmingham, AL | $134,000 | $74,000 - $179,000 | -26% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $132,000 | $73,000 - $177,000 | -27% |
| Louisville, KY | $132,000 | $73,000 - $177,000 | -27% |
| Tucson, AZ | $131,000 | $72,000 - $175,000 | -27% |
| Vancouver, BC | $131,000 | $72,000 - $175,000 | -27% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $129,000 | $71,000 - $173,000 | -28% |
| Memphis, TN | $129,000 | $71,000 - $173,000 | -28% |
| Calgary, AB | $127,000 | $70,000 - $170,000 | -29% |
| Ottawa, ON | $124,000 | $68,000 - $166,000 | -31% |
| Edmonton, AB | $124,000 | $68,000 - $166,000 | -31% |
| Hamilton, ON | $114,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | -37% |
| Montreal, QC | $112,000 | $62,000 - $150,000 | -38% |
| Halifax, NS | $108,000 | $59,000 - $144,000 | -40% |
| Winnipeg, MB | $107,000 | $59,000 - $143,000 | -41% |
| Quebec City, QC | $104,000 | $57,000 - $139,000 | -42% |