Average Attorney Fees by State 2025

Although no one wants to be in a situation where they have to consult an attorney, they are more often than not well worth the expense. From filing a claim to getting the proper and professional defense and protection you need, legal counsel is also often a necessary step.

Although attorney fees vary from state to state and according to the type of defense you need (typically a criminal defense attorney will cost more than a family law lawyer), the popularity of the attorney (well-known lawyers usually cost more), these fees do vary from state to state, based on the cost of living in each state.

On average, attorney fees range from $100 per hour to $500 per hour, but if you hire a leading criminal attorney in D.C. (which is ranked the highest average at nearly $400 per hour in 2020) you’re going to most likely pay more than if you hire an estate or family lawyer in a more rural place like Illinois or Alaska, which typically costs $100-$150 per hour.

Sometimes an attorney will charge a specific fee for a service (such as will) or will require a retainer fee, which is sometimes a guarantee that the attorney will take your case or be available on an “as-needed” basis. An attorney may also charge a contingency fee. In this case, the attorney will be paid “contingent upon” your recovery, which is usually based upon a percentage of your recovery. On average, the attorney takes ⅓ or 33% of your recovery.