What are the main factors that influence a City Attorney's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A City Attorney's salary?

A City Attorney's salary grows with experience: an City Attorney (0-2 years)earns $100,454, an Attorney II (2-4 years)earns $133,365, an Attorney III (4-7 years)earns $188,433, an Attorney IV (7+ years)earns $214,543, an Attorney V (7-10 years)earns $254,642,

What are the highest paying states for a City Attorney?

City Attorney salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for City Attorney roles are District of Columbia $112,044, California $111,619, Massachusetts $110,132. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of City Attorney roles make?

Salaries for City Attorney level roles vary by specialization: Assistant City Attorney: $286,739; City Treasurer: $254,006; Deputy City Attorney: $187,101; Associate City Attorney: $128,297; City Manager: $116,765.

How do different companies affect a City Attorney's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for City Attorney roles. Large, established industry leaders like C R Bard Inc ($128,509) and Henry Schein Canada ($124,697) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $82,041.

City Attorney Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a City Attorney in the United States is $101,196 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,474
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $89,547 to $111,287
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $78,941

Compensation Planning

Develop a Job Description

Pay Equity

2026 Compensation Trend

Smart Recruiting

Recruit with AI

Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits

View as table

City Attorney Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$111,287	$9,274	$2,140	$54
Average	$101,196	$8,433	$1,946	$49
25th Percentile	$89,547	$7,462	$1,722	$43

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

Change Search Criteria

Check out City Attorney Job Openings in the United States

Physician Emergency Medicine Ohio Permanent Emergency Medicine Physician near Columbus Ohio Job

MD Staff, LLC - Columbus, OH

Physician Oncology Ohio Permanent Associate Medical Director

eviCore healthcare - Columbus, OH

Physician Neurology Ohio Locum Tenens Locums Physician

MD Staff, LLC - Columbus, OH

Local CDL

C.R. England - Columbus, OH

Search More City Attorney Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence City Attorney Salaries

A City 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 City Attorney Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a City 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): $100,454
Early Career (1-2 years): $133,365
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $188,433
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $214,543
Expert (over 8 years): $254,642

Levels	Salary
City Atto... Level City Attorney	$100,454
Attorney ... Level City Attorney	$133,365
Attorney ... Level City Attorney	$188,433
Attorney ... Level City Attorney	$214,543
Attorney ... Level City Attorney	$254,642

View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do City 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 City Attorneys. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $112,044.
California: $111,619.
Massachusetts: $110,132.

District of Columbia $112,044 California $111,619 Massachusetts $110,132 Washington $109,727 New Jersey $109,686 Alaska $109,545 Connecticut $108,148 New York $107,581

Hawaii $105,770 Rhode Island $104,920 Maryland $104,343 Minnesota $103,554 Colorado $103,250 Illinois $103,149 Oregon $102,765 Delaware $102,481

New Hampshire $102,303 Virginia $101,904 Pennsylvania $100,741 Nevada $100,154 North Dakota $99,961 Michigan $99,658 Wisconsin $99,547 Vermont $99,324

Texas $98,707 Maine $98,666 Arizona $98,605 Ohio $98,535 Georgia $97,604 Indiana $97,138 Wyoming $97,047 Utah $96,905

Iowa $96,845 Kansas $96,359 Louisiana $96,217 North Carolina $96,167 Missouri $96,146 Florida $95,752 Montana $95,539 Nebraska $95,337

Kentucky $95,225 South Carolina $94,821 Tennessee $94,568 Idaho $94,466 New Mexico $93,728 Oklahoma $93,566 Alabama $92,969 South Dakota $91,967

Arkansas $91,420 West Virginia $91,127 Mississippi $90,247

Top Paying Cities for City 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: $127,639
San Francisco: $126,241
Oakland: $123,581

San Jose, CA $127,639

San Francisco, CA $126,241

Oakland, CA $123,581

New York, NY $116,516

Paramus, NJ $115,099

Queens Village, NY $115,094

Passaic, NJ $114,998

Bergenfield, NJ $114,989

Stamford, CT $114,766

Huntington, NY $114,725

Newark, NJ $113,977

Bridgeport, CT $113,764

Vallejo, CA $113,562

New Brunswick, NJ $113,522

Petaluma, CA $113,461

Middlesex, NJ $113,269

Somerset, NJ $113,198

Santa Cruz, CA $113,066

Boston, MA $112,449

Monterey, CA $112,094

Seattle, WA $111,862

Santa Rosa, CA $111,842

Los Angeles, CA $111,811

Juneau, AK $111,548

Washington, DC $111,437

Orange, CA $111,077

Santa Ana, CA $110,810

Long Beach, CA $110,708

Anaheim, CA $110,688

Anchorage, AK $110,638

Santa Maria, CA $110,334

Everett, WA $110,314

Danbury, CT $109,958

Bremerton, WA $109,818

Tacoma, WA $109,454

New Suffolk, NY $109,452

Sacramento, CA $109,423

Santa Barbara, CA $109,312

Trenton, NJ $109,201

San Diego, CA $109,201

Brockton, MA $109,089

Fairbanks, AK $108,841

Lompoc, CA $108,583

Lowell, MA $108,501

Ventura, CA $108,482

Nashua, NH $108,462

Stockton, CA $108,452

Modesto, CA $107,713

Poughkeepsie, NY $107,490

Olympia, WA $107,298

Kennewick, WA $107,298

New Haven, CT $107,258

Lawrence, MA $106,893

Hartford, CT $106,792

Riverside, CA $106,772

New Bedford, MA $106,671

Richland, WA $106,671

Bakersfield, CA $106,529

San Bernardino, CA $106,489

New Britain, CT $106,478

Atlantic City, NJ $106,478

New London, CT $106,438

Norwich, CT $106,408

Portsmouth, NH $106,387

Boulder, CO $106,173

Portland, OR $106,033

Worcester, MA $106,023

Minneapolis, MN $105,709

Philadelphia, PA $105,568

Honolulu, HI $105,234

Saint Paul, MN $105,185

Vineland, NJ $105,163

Providence, RI $104,869

Chicago, IL $104,576

Bellingham, WA $104,455

Springfield, MA $104,374

Baltimore, MD $104,343

Chico, CA $104,090

Pittsfield, MA $103,817

Manchester, NH $103,625

Spokane, WA $103,179

Denver, CO $103,169

Albany, NY $102,694

Troy, NY $102,653

Nassau, NY $102,545

Schenectady, NY $102,441

Wilmington, DE $102,360

Burlington, VT $102,218

Salem, OR $102,178

Portland, ME $101,864

Yakima, WA $101,763

Rochester, MN $101,449

Reno, NV $101,398

Fresno, CA $101,398

Milwaukee, WI $101,307

Detroit, MI $101,206

Ann Arbor, MI $101,189

Allentown, PA $101,176

Colorado Springs, CO $101,004

Syracuse, NY $100,953

Carson City, NV $100,953

Houston, TX $100,811

Eugene, OR $100,761

Gary, IN $100,639

Springfield, OR $100,558

Bismarck, ND $100,538

Galveston, TX $100,467

Medford, OR $100,316

Fort Collins, CO $100,275

Concord, NH $100,225

Austin, TX $100,194

Mesa, AZ $99,982

Reading, PA $99,972

Phoenix, AZ $99,961

Dallas, TX $99,931

Saint Cloud, MN $99,834

Madison, WI $99,698

Utica, NY $99,425

Rochester, NY $99,263

Des Moines, IA $99,253

Raleigh, NC $99,243

Atlanta, GA $99,091

Battle Creek, MI $99,061

Salt Lake City, UT $99,030

Lancaster, PA $98,879

Harrisburg, PA $98,737

Kansas City, MO $98,636

Champaign, IL $98,616

Kansas City, KS $98,616

Fort Worth, TX $98,605

Columbus, OH $98,588

Boca Raton, FL $98,565

Pittsburgh, PA $98,524

Richmond, VA $98,484

Indianapolis, IN $98,464

Cleveland, OH $98,454

Las Vegas, NV $98,332

Cincinnati, OH $98,332

Petersburg, VA $98,180

Huntsville, AL $98,029

Lansing, MI $97,961

Lebanon, PA $97,948

Pueblo, CO $97,937

Appleton, WI $97,907

Buffalo, NY $97,867

Dayton, OH $97,836

Racine, WI $97,816

Charlotte, NC $97,806

Saint Louis, MO $97,776

York, PA $97,715

Elkhart, IN $97,715

Gastonia, NC $97,696

Billings, MT $97,671

Beaumont, TX $97,644

Lorain, OH $97,624

Benton Harbor, MI $97,604

Toledo, OH $97,583

Binghamton, NY $97,533

Rock Hill, SC $97,523

Rockford, IL $97,472

Springfield, IL $97,432

Elyria, OH $97,421

Fargo, ND $97,421

Flagstaff, AZ $97,351

Fort Lauderdale, FL $97,290

Duluth, MN $97,229

Miami, FL $97,229

Cheyenne, WY $97,158

Grand Forks, ND $97,158

Bangor, ME $96,936

Cedar Rapids, IA $96,824

Durham, NC $96,782

Louisville, KY $96,774

Grand Rapids, MI $96,753

Hialeah, FL $96,743

Casper, WY $96,602

Scranton, PA $96,480

New Orleans, LA $96,450

Virginia Beach, VA $96,440

Akron, OH $96,389

Peoria, IL $96,258

Sarasota, FL $96,237

Nashville, TN $96,167

Omaha, NE $96,167

Green Bay, WI $96,167

Baton Rouge, LA $96,116

Charleston, SC $96,096

Jamestown, NY $96,045

Davenport, IA $96,045

Tucson, AZ $95,995

Saint Petersburg, FL $95,934

Tampa, FL $95,914

Evansville, IN $95,853

Port Arthur, TX $95,853

Bradenton, FL $95,812

Santa Fe, NM $95,630

Orlando, FL $95,448

Clearwater, FL $95,418

Canton, OH $95,205

La Crosse, WI $95,205

Albuquerque, NM $95,144

Newport News, VA $95,134

High Point, NC $95,104

Ogden, UT $95,064

Corpus Christi, TX $94,983

Norfolk, VA $94,922

Laramie, WY $94,922

Rock Island, IL $94,861

Saginaw, MI $94,841

Jacksonville, FL $94,831

Salisbury, NC $94,811

Boise, ID $94,790

Moline, IL $94,740

Fort Myers, FL $94,709

Memphis, TN $94,689

Tulsa, OK $94,638

Waterloo, IA $94,578

Spartanburg, SC $94,477

Lincoln, NE $94,426

Fort Wayne, IN $94,406

Provo, UT $94,396

Cedar Falls, IA $94,274

San Antonio, TX $94,234

Greensboro, NC $94,193

South Bend, IN $94,183

Savannah, GA $94,072

Muskegon, MI $94,031

Birmingham, AL $94,021

Winston Salem, NC $93,972

Lake Charles, LA $93,728

Anderson, IN $93,707

Lexington, KY $93,677

Augusta, GA $93,647

Greenville, SC $93,647

Lima, OH $93,566

Wichita, KS $93,556

Tuscaloosa, AL $93,556

Columbia, SC $93,465

Springfield, OH $93,444

Asheville, NC $93,282

Bloomington, IN $93,212

Knoxville, TN $92,847

Shreveport, LA $92,837

Wilmington, NC $92,706

Roanoke, VA $92,706

Topeka, KS $92,524

Frankfort, KY $92,512

Oklahoma City, OK $92,443

Chillicothe, OH $92,402

Longview, TX $92,392

Melbourne, FL $92,382

Sioux Falls, SD $92,220

Mobile, AL $92,210

Terre Haute, IN $92,169

Altoona, PA $92,109

Amarillo, TX $92,038

Killeen, TX $92,007

Fayetteville, AR $91,926

Chattanooga, TN $91,896

Sioux City, IA $91,805

Idaho Falls, ID $91,785

Lynchburg, VA $91,704

Gainesville, FL $91,572

Portsmouth, OH $91,522

Little Rock, AR $91,501

Lafayette, LA $91,461

Youngstown, OH $91,461

Daytona Beach, FL $91,400

Clarksville, TN $91,390

Pensacola, FL $91,380

Temple, TX $91,373

Hopkinsville, KY $91,076

Erie, PA $91,056

Florence, SC $91,016

Charleston, WV $90,854

Great Falls, MT $90,803

Macon, GA $90,661

Tallahassee, FL $90,651

Fayetteville, NC $90,631

Waco, TX $90,611

Helena, MT $90,540

Pine Bluff, AR $90,502

Vincennes, IN $90,378

Lubbock, TX $90,338

Alamogordo, NM $90,277

Twin Falls, ID $90,186

Rapid City, SD $90,156

Jackson, MS $89,973

Huntington, WV $89,966

Greenville, MS $89,963

Parkersburg, WV $89,860

Montgomery, AL $89,842

Wichita Falls, TX $89,741

Springfield, MO $89,741

Biloxi, MS $89,690

Monroe, LA $89,589

Johnstown, PA $89,518

Sumter, SC $89,478

Columbus, GA $89,467

Pascagoula, MS $89,275

Abilene, TX $89,275

Kingsport, TN $89,012

Albany, GA $89,012

Gulfport, MS $88,982

Alexandria, LA $88,648

Fort Smith, AR $88,395

El Paso, TX $88,121

Las Cruces, NM $87,666

Harlingen, TX $87,409

Pocatello, ID $87,393

Florence, AL $87,261

Brownsville, TX $87,241

Mcallen, TX $87,029

Dothan, AL $86,887

Columbus, MS $86,286

Altus, OK $85,814

Lawton, OK $85,622

Pierre, SD $85,258

What Skills Can Increase a City Attorney's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Commitment (Mentioned in 5.65% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
Estate Planning (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging, during a person's life, for the management and disposal of that person's estate during the person's life and at and after death, while minimizing gift, estate, generation skipping transfer, and income tax. Estate planning includes planning for incapacity as well as a process of reducing or eliminating uncertainties over the administration of a probate and maximizing the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. The ultimate goal of estate planning can be determined by the specific goals of the client, and may be as simple or complex as the client's needs dictate. Guardians are often designated for minor children and beneficiaries in incapacity. The law of estate planning overlaps to some degree with elder law, which additionally includes other provisions such as long-term care.
Employment Law (Mentioned in 1.49% Job Postings): Applying the knowledge of employment law to regulate relationships between employers and employees.

See More Skills

Skills	Demand Percentage
Commitment	5.65%
Estate Planning	2.37%
Employment Law	1.49%

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 City Attorney's salary.

Legal Advice: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Intellectual Property: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Due Diligence: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Legal Advice	$106,256	5%
Intellectual Property	$105,244	4%
Due Diligence	$104,232	3%
Negotiating	$104,232	3%
Analysis	$104,232	3%
Employment Law	$104,232	3%

Get Latest Data

City Attorney Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For City 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, City Attorney positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view City Attorney as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a City Attorney

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense	$121,435	$58.0	20%
Biotechnology	$121,435	$58.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$121,435	$58.0	20%
Financial Services	$121,435	$58.0	20%
Healthcare	$121,435	$58.0	20%

How Education impacts a City Attorney's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many City Attorneys enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 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 City Attorney with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $101,138 and $109,909).

City Attorney Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for City Attorney

No Diploma 0.2%

High School 0.4%

Associates 0.1%

Bachelors 1.8%

Masters 2.9%

Doctorate 94.6%

view as table

Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	0.2%
High School	0.4%
Associates	0.1%
Bachelors	1.8%
Masters	2.9%
Doctorate	94.6%

view as graph

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

Understanding how a City 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 August 01, 2026

$89,547

Average $101,196/year

$111,287

$7,462

Average $8,433/month

$9,274

$1,722

Average $1,946/week

$2,140

$43

Average $49/hour

$54

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$111,287	$9,274	$2,140	$54
Average	$101,196	$8,433	$1,946	$49
25th Percentile	$89,547	$7,462	$1,722	$43

Salaries of jobs related to City Attorney

Salary Trends for City Attorney

Salaries for a City Attorney can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $113,634 in 2023 to around $109,649 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of City Attorney salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of City Attorney Over Time

2022

$???

2023

$113,634

2024

$113,199

2025

$109,649

2026

$???

2027

$???

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$113,634
2024	$113,199
2025	$109,649
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for City Attorney

Social Security

401(k)

Disability

Healthcare

Pension

Time Off (days)

For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Biotechnology

the United States

Find Your Next City Attorney Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current City Attorney job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

Maxim Healthcare

Columbus, OH

RN Private Duty Nursing Opportunity

Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

13 Days Ago
XPO

Columbus, OH

CDL

XPO | Columbus, OH

XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

13 Days Ago
Schneider

Columbus, OH

Class CDL Company Driver

Schneider | Columbus, OH

CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

14 Days Ago
Summit Recruiting Group

Columbus, OH

Dermatology Physician Assistant

Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

15 Days Ago
Family Dollar

Columbus, OH

Customer Service Associate

Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

16 Days Ago
GO Staffing

Columbus, OH

Surgery

GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

16 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about City Attorney

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for City Attorney roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
Job and employee pricing reports
Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.

Learn about