Sources: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
California state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective September 14, 2026. These are the ranges California sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Attorney Class 5778 Grade 5778 Range A | $7,969.00 – $10,473.00 a month $95,628 – $125,676 a year |
Grade 5778 Range B | $8,969.00 – $12,026.00 a month $107,628 – $144,312 a year |
Grade 5778 Range L | $7,969.00 – $10,473.00 a month $95,628 – $125,676 a year |
Grade 5778 Range M | $8,969.00 – $12,026.00 a month $107,628 – $144,312 a year |
| Attorney III Class 5795 Grade 5795 Range A | $10,852.00 – $15,325.00 a month $130,224 – $183,900 a year |
Grade 5795 Range L | $10,852.00 – $15,325.00 a month $130,224 – $183,900 a year |
| Attorney IV Class 5780 Grade 5780 Range A | $11,993.00 – $16,096.00 a month $143,916 – $193,152 a year |
Grade 5780 Range L | $11,993.00 – $16,096.00 a month $143,916 – $193,152 a year |
| Attorney V Class 5781 Grade 5781 Range A | $12,659.00 – $16,883.00 a month $151,908 – $202,596 a year |
Grade 5781 Range L | $12,659.00 – $16,883.00 a month $151,908 – $202,596 a year |
Schedule: Civil Service Pay Scale (Section 17, by schematic code). Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in California, all employers Sourced
Lawyers (SOC 23-1011) in California, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | CA |
|---|---|
| Workers | 95,770 |
| 10th percentile | $97,950 |
| Median | $195,080 |
| 90th percentile | $369,180 |
| National median, government employers | $134,680 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for California
California Bar ExaminationCalifornia exam · free on Open Exam Prep- Multistate Bar ExaminationEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Multistate Essay ExaminationEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Multistate Performance TestEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Multistate Professional Responsibility ExaminationPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NextGen Bar ExaminationPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Uniform Bar ExaminationPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Government Attorney (agency counsel) page.