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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Attorney in California is $111,072 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.
However, an Entry Level Attorney's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Entry Level Attorney Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $121,672 | $10,139 | $2,340 | $58 |
| Average | $111,072 | $9,256 | $2,136 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,710 | $8,059 | $1,860 | $46 |
Last Faoro & Whitehorn A Professional Law Corporation - San Mateo, CA
Mar-Val Food Stores - Lodi, CA
OC Optometry Group - Newport Beach, CA
Careers Integrated Resources Inc - San Mateo, CA
An Entry Level 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 an Entry Level 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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Lev... Level Entry Level Attorney | $112,070 |
| Attorney ... Level Entry Level Attorney | $148,786 |
| Attorney ... Level Entry Level Attorney | $210,222 |
| Attorney ... Level Entry Level Attorney | $239,351 |
| Attorney ... Level Entry Level Attorney | $284,087 |
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 Entry Level 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 Entry Level Attorney roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Attorney positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Attorney as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $133,287 | $64.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $133,287 | $64.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $133,287 | $64.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $133,287 | $64.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $133,287 | $64.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Entry Level 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 | $121,672 | $10,139 | $2,340 | $58 |
| Average | $111,072 | $9,256 | $2,136 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,710 | $8,059 | $1,860 | $46 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Level Attorney job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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West Sacramento, CA
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