salary$178,220 a year$86 an hour · median pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$104,140per year
Top pay (top 10%)$336,590per year
Jobs in the area8,020people work this job
Can a lawyer afford San Diego?
OK. Rent of $3,011 a month takes 20.3% 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 San Diego
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in San Diego, CA?
The median pay for a lawyer in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area is $178,220 a year ($86 an hour). Most earn between $104,140 and $336,590.
Can a lawyer afford to live in San Diego?
Typical rent of $3,011 a month takes 20.3% of the median lawyer salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area.