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State Attorney Salary in the United States

How much does a State Attorney make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a State Attorney in the United States is $116,343 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

However, a State Attorney's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $137,310
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $102,487 to $127,318
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,872
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence State Attorney Salaries

A State Attorney's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects State Attorney Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a State Attorney's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $57,045
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $65,924
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $82,283
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $119,230
  • Expert (over 8 years): $135,124
Levels Salary
Biologist... Level State Attorney$57,045
Biologist... Level State Attorney$65,924
Biologist... Level State Attorney$82,283
State Att... Level State Attorney$119,230
Biologist... Level State Attorney$135,124
View as Graph

How Do State Attorney Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract State Attorneys. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $128,815.
  • California: $128,326.
  • Massachusetts: $126,616.

Top Paying Cities for State Attorneys

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $146,743
  • San Francisco: $145,137
  • Oakland: $142,078

What Skills Can Increase a State Attorney's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 14.51% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Immunology (Mentioned in 3.43% Job Postings): Immunology is the study of the immune system and is a very important branch of the medical and biological sciences. The immune system protects us from infection through various lines of defence.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 2.01% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 14.51%
Immunology 3.43%
SOP 2.01%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a State Attorney's salary.

  • Drug Discovery: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Oncology: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Drug Discovery $151,246
30%
Commitment $151,246
30%
Oncology $147,756
27%
Get Latest Data

State Attorney Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For State Attorney roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, State Attorney positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view State Attorney as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a State Attorney

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$145,429$70.025%
Energy & Utilities$139,612$67.020%
Biotechnology$133,794$64.015%
Healthcare$127,977$62.010%
Chemicals$125,650$60.08%

How Education impacts a State Attorney's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many State Attorneys enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a State Attorney with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $111,713 and $121,593).

State Attorney Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for State Attorney
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 20.0%
High School 28.0%
Associates 52.0%
Bachelors 20.0%
Masters 28.0%
Doctorate 52.0%
View as Graph

State Attorney Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a State Attorney's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$102,487
Average $116,343/year
$127,318
$8,541
Average $9,695/month
$10,610
$1,971
Average $2,237/week
$2,448
$49
Average $56/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,318 $10,610 $2,448 $61
Average $116,343 $9,695 $2,237 $56
25th Percentile $102,487 $8,541 $1,971 $49

Most common benefits for State Attorney

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for State Attorney

Here are companies hiring for State Attorney and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about State Attorney

1. What industry pays the highest salary for State Attorney?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for State Attorney roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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