The monthly salary for state lawyers, including public prosecutors and public defenders, in 2025 is influenced by factors such as state, experience, and position level. Below are some general estimates derived from recent trends and government pay scales:
What Is The Monthly Salary?
Average Monthly Salary for State Lawyers in 2025:
Entry-Level (0-3 years experience):
$5,000 – $7,500 per month ($60,000 – $90,000 annually)
Example: Assistant District Attorney (ADA) or Public Defender in mid-cost states.
Mid-Level (4-8 years experience):
$7,500 – $10,000 per month ($90,000 – $120,000 annually)
Example: Senior Deputy DA or Senior Public Defender.
Senior-Level (10+ years experience):
Example: Chief Prosecutor, District Attorney, or Public Defender in high-cost states (CA, NY).
Factors Influencing Salary:
State & Cost of Living:
Conversely, lower salaries are typical in states like Mississippi, Alabama, and Idaho.
Government vs. County Roles:
Federal lawyers, such as U.S
Prosecutors in large cities, like Los Angeles and NYC, tend to earn more than those in rural areas.
Union Contracts & Raises:
Certain states implement an annual salary for lawyers. Our new connection has any problems with the new collection for this journey? Next month new option? For this, another kind of good experience annual District. Adjustments for inflation, with increases ranging from 3-5% in 2025.
Comparison to the Private Sector:
State lawyers typically earn less than corporate attorneys, who can make $15,000–$30,000+/month in large firms.
However, benefits such as pensions and job security often help offset the lower salaries.
Which state pays lawyers the most?
According to recent data from 2024 to 2025, California and New York rank among the top-paying states for lawyers in the United States, especially in significant legal markets such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. Nevertheless, the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) usually holds the title of the highest-paying jurisdiction for lawyers, primarily due to the abundance of lucrative federal government positions, esteemed law firms, and corporate legal opportunities.
Top-Paying States/Jurisdictions for Lawyers (Average Salaries)
District of Columbia (D.C.) – ~$198,000
(High demand for federal, corporate, and international law)
California – ~$180,000
(Big Law firms in SF/LA, tech industry legal work)
New York – ~$175,000
(Wall Street law firms, corporate law, high cost of living)
Massachusetts – ~$165,000
(Boston’s strong legal market, biotech & finance sectors)
Delaware – ~$160,000
(Corporate law due to many companies being incorporated there)
Factors Influencing High Salaries
Big Law Firms: States with major legal hubs (NYC, SF, DC) pay first-year associates $215,000+ at top firms.
