salary$301,320 a year$145 an hour · median pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$129,350per year
Top pay (top 10%)$421,000per year
Jobs in the area6,040people work this job
Can a lawyer afford Santa Clara?
Cheap. Rent of $3,309 a month takes 13.2% 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 Santa Clara
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Santa Clara, CA?
The median pay for a lawyer in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area is $301,320 a year ($145 an hour). Most earn between $129,350 and $421,000.
Can a lawyer afford to live in Santa Clara?
Typical rent of $3,309 a month takes 13.2% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area.