Lawyer Salary in Long Beach, CA: $204,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Long Beach, CA earns a median $204,223/year (≈ $98.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $180,569 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Long Beach, California, command a median annual salary of $204,223, which is notably higher than the national median of $167,174. Salaries exhibit a wide range within the local market, from $118,449 at the 10th percentile to as high as $316,545 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reflect the competitive nature of legal compensation in this coastal city. The prevailing emphasis on billable hours significantly influences how lawyers are compensated; those logging between 1,800 and 2,400 hours annually can maximize their earnings, with many firms employing strict billing requirements to ensure profitability. The Long Beach legal job market, while comparatively smaller with only 89 lawyers currently employed, benefits from its proximity to larger urban centers where BigLaw firms set the compensation standards.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($201,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $118,449 | $56.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $147,041 | $70.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $204,223 | $98.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $261,404 | $125.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $316,545 | $152.18 |
Median Salary Position
22.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $198,096 (2026 est.). At $204,223, the local median is 22.16% above the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Lawyer Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $204,223/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $175,751 | +16.20% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | +22.16% more |
Lawyers in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $204,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.16% higher than the national median of $167,174 and 16.20% above the California state average of $175,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $204,223 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $180,569 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$150,210
2025 BLS Actual
$195,055
2026 Current Est.
$204,223
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $150,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $155,059 | Actual |
| 2021 | $156,354 | Actual |
| 2022 | $165,822 | Actual |
| 2023 | $178,062 | Actual |
| 2024 | $239,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $195,055 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $204,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $213,821 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $150,210 (2019) to $195,055 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $213,821 by 2027 — a total increase of $63,611 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $118,449 – $147,041 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $147,041 – $204,223 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $204,223 – $261,404 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $261,404 – $316,545 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Long Beach
As the cost-of-living index in Long Beach stands at 113.1, legal professionals must consider purchasing power regarding their salaries. Larger firms, particularly those categorized as BigLaw, tend to offer the highest pay—some surpassing traditional compensation levels found in mid-size and boutique firms. In-house corporate departments can provide a better work-life balance but generally fall short in salary growth compared to private practice, particularly at prestigious firms. Factors driving the pay disparity include firm type, market location, and intricacies of partnership structures. Strategic moves such as focusing on high-demand specialties and gaining experience at reputable firms can help aspiring lawyers elevate their pay potential in this region. Those interested in maximizing their income should be mindful of the legal sector's fluctuating dynamics, leveraging opportunities in high-paying sectors while balancing the trade-offs of lifestyle and compensation.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $195,055 for lawyersin the Long Beach metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Long Beach is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov