salary$212,500 a year$102 an hour · median pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$98,280per year
Top pay (top 10%)$375,580per year
Jobs in the area18,470people work this job
Can a lawyer afford Berkeley?
Cheap. Rent of $2,355 a month takes 13.3% of the median lawyer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Lawyer pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Berkeley
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Berkeley, CA?
The median pay for a lawyer in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area is $212,500 a year ($102 an hour). Most earn between $98,280 and $375,580.
Can a lawyer afford to live in Berkeley?
Typical rent of $2,355 a month takes 13.3% of the median lawyer salary, which we rate Cheap.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area.