Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Law teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1112) employed 20,060 people in May 2025. The median pay is $128,500 a year (n/a an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $64,250 and the highest-paid 10% more than $287,900. BLS projects its employment to change by +2.6% between 2025 and 2035 (about 1,800 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Doctoral or professional degree, with less than 5 years experience in a related occupation.
Highest median pay: Minnesota ($171,790), Oregon ($167,010), South Carolina ($162,400). Most jobs: California (7,800), New York (2,190), Texas (880).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| 25th percentile | $88,700 | $42.64 |
| Median | $128,500 | n/a |
| Mean | $144,770 | $69.60 |
| 75th percentile | $176,490 | $84.85 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $287,900 | $138.41 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 25,800 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 26,500 |
| Change in jobs | 700 |
| Percent change | +2.6% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 1,800 |
| Self-employed share | 0.3% |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | Less than 5 years |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 40 | 0.16 | $135,340 | $30,490 | $199,470 | +5% | 10% |
| Arizona | 60 | 0.13 | $131,950 | $79,560 | $213,950 | +3% | 15% |
| Arkansas | 30 | 0.18 | $95,630 | $42,990 | $167,410 | -26% | 12% |
| California | 7,800 | 3.32 | $119,540 | $72,850 | $284,350 | -7% | 21% |
| District of Columbia | 670 | 7.39 | $134,090 | $82,600 | $212,620 | +4% | 17% |
| Florida | 720 | 0.56 | $102,720 | $62,610 | $214,540 | -20% | 21% |
| Georgia | 150 | 0.24 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Idaho | 40 | 0.34 | $106,810 | $106,810 | $164,280 | -17% | 16% |
| Illinois | 470 | 0.59 | $107,700 | $50,900 | $275,360 | -16% | 15% |
| Indiana | 180 | 0.44 | $139,400 | $68,070 | $302,180 | +8% | 10% |
| Iowa | 90 | 0.47 | $160,700 | $74,080 | $295,050 | +25% | 7% |
| Kansas | 50 | 0.25 | $138,670 | $15,080 | $316,190 | +8% | 9% |
| Kentucky | 120 | 0.45 | $140,820 | $42,900 | $256,790 | +10% | 9% |
| Maine | 50 | 0.55 | $136,400 | $60,770 | $279,870 | +6% | 11% |
| Maryland | 180 | 0.50 | $139,980 | $79,480 | $224,330 | +9% | 15% |
| Massachusetts | 840 | 1.80 | $132,010 | $79,480 | $323,630 | +3% | 17% |
| Michigan | 330 | 0.58 | $141,680 | $65,790 | $310,710 | +10% | 10% |
| Minnesota | 80 | 0.21 | $171,790 | $80,170 | $300,960 | +34% | 9% |
| Mississippi | 40 | 0.27 | $74,440 | $64,350 | $97,590 | -42% | 16% |
| Nebraska | 100 | 0.78 | $127,690 | $63,110 | $209,320 | -1% | 10% |
| New Hampshire | 90 | 1.04 | $157,800 | $89,300 | $317,560 | +23% | 12% |
| New Jersey | 470 | 0.84 | $135,760 | $50,800 | $299,620 | +6% | 16% |
| New York | 2,190 | 1.75 | $132,180 | $66,020 | $326,080 | +3% | 15% |
| North Carolina | 450 | 0.71 | $97,090 | $52,450 | $341,680 | -24% | 17% |
| Ohio | 250 | 0.35 | $75,930 | $22,260 | $203,930 | -41% | 17% |
| Oregon | 250 | 0.97 | $167,010 | $49,360 | $179,030 | +30% | 11% |
| Pennsylvania | 710 | 0.90 | $121,310 | $62,780 | $209,130 | -6% | 12% |
| South Carolina | 110 | 0.36 | $162,400 | $76,090 | $302,400 | +26% | 9% |
| Tennessee | 160 | 0.37 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | 880 | 0.48 | $138,160 | $77,840 | $274,800 | +8% | 13% |
| Utah | 120 | 0.52 | $68,270 | $30,940 | $215,140 | -47% | 28% |
| Virginia | 400 | 0.75 | $136,270 | $50,030 | $304,760 | +6% | 14% |
| Washington | 150 | 0.33 | $125,210 | $62,690 | $208,730 | -3% | 17% |
| Wisconsin | 150 | 0.40 | $140,940 | $83,940 | $232,590 | +10% | 10% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 710 | $170,310 | $78,010 | $323,630 | 2.04 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,180 | $144,130 | $76,600 | $326,080 | 1.78 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 740 | $134,090 | $82,600 | $212,620 | 1.84 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 760 | $130,010 | $79,870 | $282,040 | 2.48 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 510 | $128,560 | $70,380 | $213,570 | 1.36 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 430 | $125,440 | $62,600 | $208,120 | 0.82 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,940 | $114,330 | $72,850 | $299,960 | 3.63 |
| Fresno, CA | 320 | $107,840 | $79,270 | $199,110 | 5.16 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 320 | $101,810 | $50,900 | $215,440 | 0.55 |
The median is $128,500 a year (n/a an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $64,250 and the highest-paid tenth over $287,900 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
20,060 in May 2025, and BLS projects +2.6% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS).
Minnesota, with a median of $171,790 (among states with published figures).