What is the average Lawyer salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of March 01, 2026, the average Lawyer salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $202,674. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Lawyer job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Lawyer job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Lawyer Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Attorney I | $116,437 | $55.98 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Attorney II | $161,078 | $77.44 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Attorney III | $199,731 | $96.02 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Attorney IV | $221,250 | $106.37 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Attorney V | $249,435 | $119.92 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Attorney VI | $278,154 | $133.73 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Corporate Attorney IV | $229,436 | $110.31 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Corporate Attorney III | $191,464 | $92.05 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Corporate Attorney V | $254,654 | $122.43 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Staff Attorney II | $145,598 | $70.00 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Attorney I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Counsel I, Lawyer I, Attorney I
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Attorney II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Counsel II, Lawyer II, Attorney IICategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Attorney III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Counsel III, Lawyer III, Attorney IIICategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. Attorney IV Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Counsel IV, Lawyer IV, Attorney IVCategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. Attorney V Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Counsel V, Lawyer V, Attorney VCategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Typically requires 12+ years of related experience. Achievement and depth of knowledge of specialization or field is the main differentiator. Advisory role on complex and challenging projects and initiatives. Recognized for deep technical and industry knowledge and innovative thinking. Provides thought leadership and guidance to a functional area and the organization. Attorney VI Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Counsel VI, Lawyer VI, Attorney VICategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for providing organizations with legal advice on strategic business decisions and transactions. Advises on a wide range of legal matters, including contracts, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. May represent the company in legal disputes, either through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. Corporate Attorney IV Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Corporate Counsel IV, Corporate Lawyer IV, Corporate Attorney IVCategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for providing organizations with legal advice on strategic business decisions and transactions. Advises on a wide range of legal matters, including contracts, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. May represent the company in legal disputes, either through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Corporate Attorney III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Corporate Counsel III, Corporate Lawyer III, Corporate Attorney IIICategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for providing organizations with legal advice on strategic business decisions and transactions. Advises on a wide range of legal matters, including contracts, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. May represent the company in legal disputes, either through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. Corporate Attorney V Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Corporate Counsel V, Corporate Lawyer V, Corporate Attorney VCategory : Legal Services
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Responsible for providing legal support to an organization. Conducts legal research and drafts legal documents like motions, briefs, contracts, and memoranda. May provide support to partners or senior attorneys, including assisting in the preparation for hearings, trials, and negotiations. Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Staff Attorney II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Staff Lawyer II, Staff Attorney IICategory : Legal Services