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Lawyers salary in Arlington, VA

Lawyers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area earn a median of $195,190 a year, an average of $226,780. About 46,840 people work in this occupation there. Figures are from the May 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS).

Lawyers pay at a glance

Annual median wage
$195,190
Half earn more, half earn less
Annual mean wage
$226,780
Pulled up by top earners
10th percentile
$106,520
Bottom of the range
90th percentile
$382,890
Top of the range
People employed
46,840
In Arlington metro area
Rent share of median wage
14.0%
Median rent ÷ median wage

What this wage buys in Arlington

Rent from the ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, compared with the wage above

Median gross rent
$2,275
per month, in Arlington, VA
Income needed for median rent
$91,000
Keeps rent at 30% of gross pay
Median lawyers wage
$195,190
114.5% above income needed for median rent
Rent as share of this wage
14.0%
12 months rent ÷ median wage
City median household income
$140,160
All households, not one occupation

Occupations are not paid the same everywhere, and this page does not explain why. It reports what the survey measured for the Arlington area. Read the Arlington, VA cost of living page for rent, income and the price level, or the methodology for how the numbers are compiled.

Lawyers pay in other cities

Median annual wage, same occupation, same survey

Boise City, ID
-43.8%
Median $109,780
Mean $138,660
Employed 1,250
Norfolk, VA
-31.7%
Median $133,380
Mean $159,670
Employed 2,280
Spokane, WA
-36.5%
Median $123,880
Mean $135,500
Employed 770
Fremont, CA
+8.9%
Median $212,500
Mean $237,060
Employed 18,470
Richmond, VA
-25.8%
Median $144,910
Mean $173,400
Employed 3,780
Baton Rouge, LA
-47.7%
Median $102,070
Mean $112,100
Employed 2,300
Tacoma, WA
-15.5%
Median $164,980
Mean $180,920
Employed 9,210
Port St. Lucie, FL
-32.2%
Median $132,360
Mean $154,430
Employed 570

See lawyers pay in every covered city.

Take-home pay calculator

Estimate your net pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes. Adjust filing status and allowances for your situation.

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Gross annual income $195,190 / year
$195,190
Federal income tax 2024 brackets, Single filing
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State income tax Virginia (VA)
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FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.65% up to wage base
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Pre-tax deductions 401(k), HSA, etc.
$0
Take-home pay (annual) After all taxes
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Take-home per paycheck Monthly
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Effective tax rate Total tax ÷ gross income
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Estimates use 2024 federal tax brackets, FICA rates (6.2% SS up to $168,600, 1.45% Medicare + 0.9% >$200k), and state rates from Tax Foundation. Does not include local taxes, AMT, or tax credits. Consult a tax professional for actual liability.

Lawyers salary in Arlington, VA: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in Arlington, VA?

The median salary for lawyers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $195,190 a year (about $94 an hour for full-time work). The average is $226,780, pulled up by the top earners.

Is $195,190 a good salary for lawyers in Arlington, VA?

Yes. It is above the $91,000 needed to keep the median rent of $2,275 a month at 30% of gross income, and the median rent takes 14.0% of this wage.

What do the highest-paid lawyers earn in Arlington, VA?

The top 10% earn more than $382,890 a year, while the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $106,520.

How many lawyers work in Arlington, VA?

About 46,840 people work in this occupation in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Definitions used on this page

Annual median wage
The wage that half of the people in this occupation earn more than and half earn less than, for one year of work.
Annual mean wage
The average of all reported wages. It is higher than the median when a few very high earners pull it up.
Percentiles
The 10th percentile is the wage below which 10% of workers fall; the 90th is the wage above which only 10% rise. The gap between them shows how wide the pay range is.
Employment
The estimated number of jobs in this occupation in the metropolitan area, not the number of residents who hold it.

Sources and limits

Wages describe the metropolitan area, while rent and income describe the city boundaries. The two areas do not cover exactly the same ground. Wages are also averaged across a year and across every industry, so a specific employer can differ widely from the median shown here.