Lawyer salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Lawyers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $170,970 a year ($82.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,030 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 12% lower than the California statewide median of $195,080. There are 3.5 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $178,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| 25th percentile | $109,550 | $52.67 |
| Median | $170,970 | $82.20 |
| 75th percentile | $216,420 | $104.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $289,030 | $138.96 |
| Average (mean) | $178,720 | $85.93 |
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 | $14,247.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,123.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,575.77 |
| Weekly | $3,287.88 |
| Hourly | $82.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $170,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $301,320 | 6,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $212,500 | 18,470 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $194,410 | 41,580 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $185,520 | 1,220 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $181,560 | 590 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $178,540 | 7,620 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $178,220 | 8,020 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $175,780 | 290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $174,880 | 490 |
| Vallejo, CA | $170,530 | 220 |
| Napa, CA | $168,720 | 110 |
| Salinas, CA | $166,940 | 380 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $164,790 | 350 |
| Modesto, CA | $164,010 | 370 |
| Fresno, CA | $162,680 | 1,570 |
| El Centro, CA | $162,580 | 110 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $150,900 | 610 |
| Visalia, CA | $150,140 | 270 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $149,430 | 90 |
| Yuba City, CA | $139,710 | 90 |
| Merced, CA | $139,010 | 120 |
| Redding, CA | $133,900 | 250 |
| Chico, CA | $131,710 | 140 |
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 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $77,800 | $37.40 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for lawyers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $170,970 a year, or $82.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $289,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $289,030 a year. The top 25% earn $216,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,920 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $109,550 or less.
How many lawyers work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 700 lawyers are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.