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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Litigation Attorney in California is $233,915 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $112.
However, a Civil Litigation Attorney's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Civil Litigation Attorney Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $254,224 | $21,185 | $4,889 | $122 |
| Average | $233,915 | $19,493 | $4,498 | $112 |
| 25th Percentile | $216,898 | $18,075 | $4,171 | $104 |
Hansen, Kohls, Sommer & Jacob - Roseville, CA
Wade Litigation - Los Angeles, CA
Wade Litigation - San Diego, CA
Wade Law Group - Carlsbad, CA
A Civil 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 Civil 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 Civil Litigation Attorney | $144,479 |
| Attorney ... Level Civil Litigation Attorney | $204,137 |
| Civil Lit... Level Civil Litigation Attorney | $232,422 |
| Attorney ... Level Civil Litigation Attorney | $275,863 |
| Attorney ... Level Civil Litigation Attorney | $319,209 |
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 Civil 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 Civil Litigation Attorney roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 26% above the average. In contrast, Civil Litigation Attorney positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Litigation Attorney as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $294,733 | $142.0 | 26% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $294,733 | $142.0 | 26% |
| Energy & Utilities | $283,038 | $136.0 | 21% |
| Software & Networking | $283,038 | $136.0 | 21% |
| Internet | $271,342 | $130.0 | 16% |
Understanding how a Civil 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 | $254,224 | $21,185 | $4,889 | $122 |
| Average | $233,915 | $19,493 | $4,498 | $112 |
| 25th Percentile | $216,898 | $18,075 | $4,171 | $104 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Civil Litigation Attorney job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Wade Litigation
San Francisco, CA
Wade Litigation | San Francisco, CA
Senior Civil Litigation Attorney – Remote (California Focus). About Wade Litigation. Wade Litigation is a dynamic and growing law group focused on deliveri... more
6 Days Ago
Ecoff Campain & Kay LLP
Beverly Hills, CA
Ecoff Campain & Kay LLP | Beverly Hills, CA
Job Description. Job Description. . Job description. Ecoff Campain & Kay, LLP has an immediate opening for an experienced civil litigation attorney. Applic... more
6 Days Ago
Gates, Gonter, Guy, Proudfoot & Muench LLP
Irvine, CA
Gates, Gonter, Guy, Proudfoot & Muench LLP | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Prominent insurance defense law firm is seeking experienced civil litigation attorneys for both its Irvine and San Diego ... more
7 Days Ago
McDougal Boehmer Foley Lyon Mitchell & Erickson
La Mesa, CA
McDougal Boehmer Foley Lyon Mitchell & Erickson | La Mesa, CA
Job Description. Job Description. McDougal, Boehmer, Foley, Lyon, Mitchell & Erickson is a long-standing San Diego-based law firm representing businesses a... more
7 Days Ago
Price Pelletier, LLP
San Diego, CA
Price Pelletier, LLP | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Price Pelletier, LLP is a boutique litigation firm that focuses on defending Companies in high stakes litigation. Our cul... more
8 Days Ago
MADISON LAW APC
Irvine, CA
MADISON LAW APC | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits/Perks. ● Competitive base salary. ● Bonuses & commissions, averaging 15k+ annually. ● 100% emp... more
9 Days Ago
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