RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Lawyers salary: California vs Virginia

Occupation

Lawyers in California earn a median of $195,080. In Virginia, $167,210. After cost-of-living, the gap is 6.6% — not 16.7%.

Nominal pay gap
+16.7%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+6.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Lawyers

Median
$195,080
p25
$131,120
p75
$277,140
p10
$97,950
p90
$369,180
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-43%
See full breakdown for California

Virginia

Lawyers

Median
$167,210
p25
$107,710
p75
$207,480
p10
$79,330
p90
$320,220
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
101.1
Hiring velocity (180d)
-72%
See full breakdown for Virginia

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.