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Attorney salary in California
How much does an Attorney make in California?
Average base salary
$145,331
- Hour
- Day
- Week
- Month
- Year
16%
above national averageAverage $145,331
Low $87,220
High $242,159
The average salary for a attorney is $145,331 per year in California. 5k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated August 17, 2026).
What Does an Attorney Do?
A general counsel is the head legal counsel — or attorney — for an organization. They usually work for corporations, banks, universities and school districts or the government and offer guidance in and out of the courtroom on legal matters. They typically review contracts, analyze complex transactions and provide advice on the cost of legal services. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Providing accurate legal guidance to company executives
- Managing compliance, risk management and legal services groups
- Attending executive meetings related to pending mergers and acquisitions, changes in policy or future direction of an organization
- Monitoring to ensure the company complies with current business laws
- Creating contracts and contractor agreements
Highest paying companies for Attorney in California
Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.Wollborg Michelson Recruiting
$442,000per year
BLANK ROME, LLP
$406,667per year
Latham & Watkins LLP
$390,000per year
Megeredchian Law
$375,000per year
City of Riverside
$361,776per year
CITY OF MILPITAS
$350,000per year
Hiring an Attorney?
Highest paying cities for Attorneys near California
Where can an Attorney earn more?
Compare salaries for Attorneys in different locations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Attorney