How much does a law teacher make?
The median law teacher in the United States earns $126,650 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all law teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 25-1112.
Law teacher salary range
Pay for law teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $58,330 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $239,200+. The average (mean) wage of $139,950 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,330 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $84,540 | |
| Median (50th) | $126,650 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $173,580 | |
| 90th percentile | $239,200+ | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for law teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1112), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Law teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Law teachers earn the most in Tennessee at $171,280 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $65,880. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $171,280 | 190 |
| Iowa | $170,810 | N/A |
| Michigan | $167,560 | 350 |
| Massachusetts | $164,000 | 910 |
| South Carolina | $160,370 | 100 |
| Oregon | $158,110 | 300 |
| Texas | $153,880 | 660 |
| Alabama | $139,880 | 70 |
| Utah | $138,020 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $137,900 | 130 |
| Maryland | $134,320 | 220 |
| Minnesota | $132,610 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $130,530 | N/A |
| Indiana | $129,880 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $129,550 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $129,470 | N/A |
| Maine | $128,910 | 30 |
| District of Columbia | $128,490 | 620 |
| New York | $128,430 | 2,540 |
| Kentucky | $128,380 | 120 |
| California | $126,640 | N/A |
| Virginia | $125,670 | 480 |
| Florida | $124,330 | 950 |
| Washington | $115,850 | 160 |
| Connecticut | $110,220 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $107,890 | 110 |
| Vermont | $107,210 | 220 |
| Arizona | $106,510 | 220 |
| Missouri | $105,880 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $105,490 | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $104,820 | 760 |
| Idaho | $102,500 | 50 |
| Illinois | $99,880 | 450 |
| Ohio | $69,770 | 280 |
| Mississippi | $65,880 | 70 |
State median wages for law teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1112), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for law teachers
The BLS projects employment of law teachers to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 25,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 26,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,800 openings a year for law teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a law teacher
The typical entry-level education for law teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a law teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Tennessee, $171,280) and the lowest (Mississippi, $65,880) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 22,800 people work as law teachers in the United States. At $126,650 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Law teacher salary FAQ
How much does a law teacher make an hour?
Law teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $126,650.
What is the highest law teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of law teachers earn more than $239,200+ per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a law teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a law teacher is $126,650. The average (mean) wage of $139,950 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a law teacher a well paid job?
At $126,650 a year, a law teacher earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 22,800 people work as law teachers in the United States.
Which state pays law teachers the most?
Tennessee has the highest median salary for law teachers at $171,280 a year. Iowa ($170,810) and Michigan ($167,560) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a law teacher a good career?
Employment of law teachers is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a law teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for law teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Education salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.