Lawyer salary in District of Columbia
Lawyers in District of Columbia earn a median of $195,190 a year ($93.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 33,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $120,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $392,750 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $159,670. District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 51 states for lawyers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 47 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 9.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $242,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $120,580 | $57.97 |
| 25th percentile | $172,060 | $82.72 |
| Median | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| 75th percentile | $360,310 | $173.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $392,750 | $188.82 |
| Average (mean) | $242,800 | $116.73 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $16,265.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,132.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,507.31 |
| Weekly | $3,753.65 |
| Hourly | $93.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $195,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $195,190 | 46,840 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $181,060 | $87.05 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $110,300 | $53.03 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $89,750 | $43.15 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $88,480 | $42.54 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for lawyers in District of Columbia is $195,190 a year, or $93.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $120,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $392,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of lawyers in District of Columbia earn at least $392,750 a year. The top 25% earn $360,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $120,580 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $172,060 or less.
How many lawyers work in District of Columbia?
About 33,070 lawyers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.