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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Litigation Attorney in California is $150,341 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.
However, a Litigation Attorney's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Litigation Attorney Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $170,490 | $14,207 | $3,279 | $82 |
| Average | $150,341 | $12,528 | $2,891 | $72 |
| 25th Percentile | $135,228 | $11,269 | $2,601 | $65 |
Kriger & Schuber, APC - La Mesa, CA
Focil Law Firm - Oxnard, CA
Neale & Fhima - Irvine, CA
Beitchman & Zekian, PC - Los Angeles, CA
A Litigation 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Litigation 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Attorney ... Level Litigation Attorney | $112,125 |
| Litigatio... Level Litigation Attorney | $148,859 |
| Attorney ... Level Litigation Attorney | $210,326 |
| Attorney ... Level Litigation Attorney | $239,469 |
| Attorney ... Level Litigation Attorney | $284,227 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Litigation Attorneys. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Litigation Attorney roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Litigation Attorney positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Litigation Attorney as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $210,478 | $101.0 | 40% |
| Biotechnology | $195,443 | $94.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $187,926 | $90.0 | 25% |
| Healthcare | $180,409 | $87.0 | 20% |
| Insurance | $172,892 | $83.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Litigation 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $170,490 | $14,207 | $3,279 | $82 |
| Average | $150,341 | $12,528 | $2,891 | $72 |
| 25th Percentile | $135,228 | $11,269 | $2,601 | $65 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Litigation Attorney job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Employee Justice
Los Angeles, CA
Employee Justice | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Established boutique law firm specializing in limited but high value plaintiff employment practices and catastrophic inju... more
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Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search
Fremont, CA
Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search | Fremont, CA
Litigation Associate (Attorney). Ready to stop dreaming about trial work and actually get in the courtroom. We need sharp attorneys who want real, hands-on... more
10 Days Ago
Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search
Alameda, CA
Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search | Alameda, CA
Litigation Associate (Attorney). Ready to stop dreaming about trial work and actually get in the courtroom. We need sharp attorneys who want real, hands-on... more
10 Days Ago
Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search
San Jose, CA
Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search | San Jose, CA
Litigation Associate (Attorney). Ready to stop dreaming about trial work and actually get in the courtroom. We need sharp attorneys who want real, hands-on... more
10 Days Ago
Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search
San Francisco, CA
Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search | San Francisco, CA
Litigation Associate (Attorney). Ready to stop dreaming about trial work and actually get in the courtroom. We need sharp attorneys who want real, hands-on... more
10 Days Ago
Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search
Sunnyvale, CA
Barnes Pailhe King & Bennett Search | Sunnyvale, CA
Litigation Associate (Attorney). Ready to stop dreaming about trial work and actually get in the courtroom. We need sharp attorneys who want real, hands-on... more
10 Days Ago
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