Lawyer pay in San Francisco, CA
Lawyers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a typical $212,500 a year. The middle half earn $137,380 to $320,510, and the top 10% earn more than $375,580. About 18,470 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Lawyers, SOC 23-1011).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $98,280 |
| 25th percentile | $137,380 |
| Median (typical) | $212,500 |
| 75th percentile | $320,510 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $375,580 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 2 of 48 large metros for lawyers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $212,500, a single filer keeps about $142,600 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and California state income tax. Prices in San Francisco are 16% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $123,400 would in a typical US city. That ranks San Francisco No. 3 of 48 large metros for lawyers after cost of living.
Where lawyers’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$301,320 typical · worth $174k
- Birmingham, AL$170,230 typical · worth $129k
- Dallas, TX$168,510 typical · worth $123k
- New York, NY$208,880 typical · worth $121k
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among lawyers in San Francisco. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.) 8 employers here filed pay above the typical rate in government filings; your check shows how many pay more than you.
Common questions
How much does a lawyer make in San Francisco, CA?
The typical (median) lawyer in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earns $212,500 a year. The middle half earn between $137,380 and $320,510, and the top 10% earn more than $375,580. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a lawyer in San Francisco?
Anything above $212,500 pays more than half of lawyers in San Francisco. $320,510 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $375,580 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a lawyer in San Francisco take home after taxes?
At the typical $212,500, a single filer keeps about $142,600 a year ($11,880 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax. With local prices 16% above the US average, that buys what $123,400 would in a typical US city.
Where do lawyers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 48 largest US metros, typical lawyer pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Birmingham, AL, Dallas, TX. San Francisco, CA ranks No. 3.
More: Lawyer pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in San Francisco, CA
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.