Lawyer Salary in District of Columbia: $204,364 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $204,364/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $174,670 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($195,190).
In 2026, the average median salary for lawyers in the District of Columbia is projected to be $204,364, significantly surpassing the national median of $167,174 by 22.2%. Interestingly, Washington serves as both the highest and lowest paying city, reflecting a lack of variability in compensation. This consistency can be attributed to the concentration of high-stakes legal work in the area, driven largely by the presence of federal government agencies, non-profits, and major corporations. The District's specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws contribute to the demand for lawyers, ensuring rigorous standards that maintain a qualified workforce. The projected annual growth rate for legal employment stands at 4.70%, indicating a steady increase in demand for legal services, influenced by ongoing changes in legislation and increased regulatory needs. Job seekers in this field can expect a strong market, characterized by stable employment numbers, totaling 46,840 lawyers. The consistent salary level alongside a growing job market makes the District of Columbia an essential location for legal professionals aiming to advance their careers.
District of Columbia Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $111,526 (lowest entry-level) to $400,886 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia lawyers earn 22.25% more than the national median (+$37,190/year difference).
District of Columbia Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in District of Columbia range from $111,526 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $400,886 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $204,364. The District of Columbia median is $37,190 above the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $98.25/hr. Approximately 46,840 lawyers are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$164,200
2025 BLS Actual
$195,190
2026 Current Est.
$204,364
2019–2027 Growth
+30.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $164,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $170,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $172,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $176,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $183,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $191,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $195,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $204,364 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $213,969 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 18.9% from $164,200 (2019) to $195,190 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $213,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,769 (30.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $111,526 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $204,364 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $400,886 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $204,364 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More Lawyer Salary Data
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
Statewide 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. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 lawyer compensation across District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 metro areas — larger metro areas with more lawyerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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