Attorneys can earn an average of $86,000 a year, with a wide range of potential salaries. Factors such as location and type of law practiced can greatly impact earnings. For example, the highest-paying states for attorneys include the District of Columbia, California, and New York, while the lowest-paying states include Montana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Additionally, different types of lawyers have varying average salaries, with immigration lawyers earning around $62,000 a year and private sector lawyers earning as much as $190,000 a year.