Where is the best place to live as a lawyer?

Asked by: Mia Runolfsdottir  |  Last update: August 25, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (60 votes)

Some of the best cities for lawyers in the US, such as New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, offer high-paying opportunities and access to prestigious law firms, making them attractive destinations for legal professionals.

Where do the highest paid lawyers live?

San Jose ($267,840/year) and San Francisco ($239,330 /year) top the list for the best-paying cities for lawyers. In addition, lawyers in the state of California earn a mean salary of $201,530/year. However, Washington, D.C. is another prime city for lawyers looking to earn a competitive salary.

How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?

How can a lawyer make 500k a year?
  1. Create an SEO for Lawyers Strategy.
  2. Build a Solid Law Firm Website.
  3. Write Engaging Attorney Content.
  4. Start a Lawyer PPC Campaign.
  5. Register Your Law Firm in Relevant Listings and Directories.
  6. Engage in Reputation Management for Lawyers.

What is the best state to live in as a lawyer?

What Is the Best State to Work in as a Lawyer?
  1. New York. New York offers a compelling mix of professional and lifestyle advantages for lawyers. ...
  2. Maryland. Maryland shines as a hub for legal talent thanks to its booming sectors like biotech and government contracting. ...
  3. Georgia. ...
  4. Illinois. ...
  5. Connecticut.

What city pays the most for lawyers?

The average lawyer wage in the highest-paid area (San Jose, California, at $268,570) is four times greater than the average wage in the lowest-paid area (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, at $62,380).

Top 10 Cities for Lawyers (Buying Power Index!)

16 related questions found

Where is the best place to live if you are a lawyer?

1. San Francisco, CA. San Francisco tops the chart for the best city for lawyers. Lawyers here earn the second-highest median salary of $168,990, which helps to offset the high cost of living.

Where are lawyers most successful?

The Empire State, being home to over 185,000 lawyers, took the lead for the state with the most lawyers. Importantly, New York outpaced all other states in terms of the average annual salary offered to legal professionals. Earning an average of $164,168 per year, lawyers in New York experience unparalleled earnings.

What type of lawyer is highest in demand?

Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law. Other quickly growing areas of law also include intellectual property law, data privacy and cybersecurity law, litigation, and labor and employment law.

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

Where are lawyers paid best?

The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.

How rich is the average lawyer?

In general, the five highest-paying states for lawyers are as follows: California ($201,530) Massachusetts ($196,230) New York ($188,900)

Is 700k a good salary?

Earning $700,000 a year would put your household in the top 1% nationwide — and well above the middle class — and in any state in the South or Midwest. But that still won't cut it in seven states. The Northeast dominates the rankings, with five of the 10 states with the highest 1% thresholds lying in this region.

What type of lawyer is best paid?

11 of the highest-paying lawyers
  • Civil litigation attorney. ...
  • Real estate attorney. ...
  • Intellectual property attorney. ...
  • Bankruptcy lawyer. ...
  • Family lawyer. ...
  • Tax attorney. ...
  • Corporate attorney. ...
  • Patent attorney.

Which state pays lawyers the most?

Best-Paying States for Lawyers

The states and districts that pay Lawyers the highest mean salary are District of Columbia ($238,990), California ($213,860), Delaware ($212,360), New York ($208,480), and Connecticut ($195,730). How Much Do Lawyers Make in Your City? See current salary offers for jobs in your field.

What is the best city to practice law in?

With thriving legal markets and specialized practice areas, cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami are consistently ranked among the best cities for attorneys in the US, providing ample opportunities for career growth and networking.

Are there millionaire lawyers?

Regions that are financial and business hubs, like New York, California, and Washington D.C., boast a significant portion of the lawyer millionaire demographic.

What state bar exam is the easiest?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

What state are lawyers most needed?

Top 10 U.S. States with the Highest Interest in Lawyers in 2024
  • North Carolina. North Carolina stands strong at number 1 with 252.87 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. ...
  • Colorado. ...
  • Nevada. ...
  • Connecticut. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • South Carolina. ...
  • Georgia. ...
  • Oregon.

What is the least stressful lawyer?

Fields of Law Generally Considered Less Stressful

It focuses more on drafting wills, trusts, and estate plans for clients. Transactional law, such as corporate or real estate law, involves lawyers primarily handling negotiations, contracts, and business transactions without the intensity of courtroom litigation.

What is the richest part of law?

Some areas of law have emerged as particularly lucrative due to their complexity, the high stakes involved, or the specialized knowledge required.
  • Patent Attorneys. ...
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Attorneys. ...
  • Trial Lawyers. ...
  • Tax Attorneys. ...
  • Corporate Lawyers.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

What type of lawyer is the most happy?

If you're practicing law for reasons of self-realization or altruism, you're likely to be happier than someone whose work motivation revolves around money or recognition.

Where do lawyers get paid most?

The median salaries for lawyers in California, New York, and Massachusetts are the highest in the nation.

What are the top 3 law firms in the US?

The 'big three' law firms, recognized for their revenue, prestige, size, and global influence, include Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

Where do most lawyers live in the US?

Lawyers by state

One-fourth of all the lawyers in the country are in just two states: New York (187,656 lawyers) and California (175,883 lawyers). Combined, they have 28% of the nation's lawyers, according to the 2024 ABA National Lawyer Population Survey. North Dakota has the fewest lawyers among the 50 states: 1,663.