Curious about how much does a district attorney make in california? You’re not alone. DA compensation in the Golden State varies widely by county, experience level, and job class (elected District Attorney vs. Deputy/Assistant District Attorney). Understanding the pay landscape helps new law grads, lateral prosecutors, and policy watchers evaluate opportunities and set realistic expectations.
At a glance, large metros tend to pay more, but step plans, union-negotiated ranges, and generous benefits can make mid-sized counties competitive over a career. The elected District Attorney (the head of the county office) earns a department-head salary that can exceed many state roles. Meanwhile, Deputy District Attorneys progress through multi-step salary schedules that reward tenure, performance, and bar tenure.
Deputy District Attorney Salary Ranges in California
California prosecutor pay spans a broad spectrum because 58 county governments set most salaries. The elected District Attorney sits at the top of each office, with appointed Chief/Assistant ranks under them, and then a tiered ladder of Deputy District Attorneys. Understanding pay starts with this structure: elected DA, senior leadership, and the multi-step deputy series with predictable raises and longevity bumps.
In Los Angeles County—the nation’s largest local prosecutor’s office—public postings show entry Deputy DA salaries that can start in the upper-$70Ks to low-$100Ks base, depending on step and recruitment cycle. You’ll also see a separate figure for the elected District Attorney. In 2024, LA County listed its Department Head pay for the District Attorney at about $416,462 base—reflecting the top executive of a massive justice agency.
Move north to the Bay Area and compensation shifts again. San Francisco’s Assistant/Deputy DA roles post wide ranges—in early 2025 a listing showed $153,140–$268,320—illustrating how high-cost metros push pay toward the top of the legal market. The same logic helps explain why some Silicon Valley legal roles can out-earn other regions.
To benchmark against the broader profession, check federal data: the annual mean wage for lawyers in California was about $213,860 (May 2023), with top metros like Los Angeles and San Francisco among the nation’s highest. Prosecutors often sit below BigLaw compensation but gain security, pension, and trial time few private roles match early on.
Finally, remember that total compensation is not just base pay. Health benefits, pension contributions, paid time off, bar dues, training stipends, and overtime (in some roles) can push overall value well above the listed salary. Career ladders—Deputy I through Senior/Grade steps—add structured growth, while special assignments (homicide, complex fraud, public integrity) can accelerate promotions in larger offices.
Deputy District Attorney Salary Ranges in California
Here’s how compensation and responsibility scale as you move from Deputy I to executive leadership in California DA offices. Use this quick snapshot to gauge entry steps, mid-career ranges, senior-unit premiums, executive ceilings, and total comp that lifts the base salary.
Entry Hiring & Steps (Deputy I/II)
Counties hire new prosecutors at designated steps. In LA, archived postings show Deputy District Attorney I ranges roughly in the $76K–$103K band, with placements set by experience and negotiation. That’s a realistic entry anchor for early-career offers.
Mid-Career Progression (Deputy III/IV)
With felony rotations, trial counts, and strong evaluations, deputies move up steps and classes. In high-cost counties, mid-career base can land in the $150K–$200K neighborhood, especially where posted ranges stretch into the mid-$200Ks (e.g., San Francisco).
Senior Roles & Specialty Units
Complex units (homicide, public corruption, environmental crimes, white-collar) may carry premiums or aid promotion timing. Senior deputies/assistant chiefs in large metros often sit near the top of county scales, making the upper end more attainable in urban offices.
Elected District Attorney (Department Head)
Voters choose the county DA, and compensation is set like other department heads. LA County listed approximately $416K base for its District Attorney in December 2024—an outlier level reflecting size and responsibility. This is the practical ceiling within county government.
Benefits, Pension, and Total Comp
Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, state or county pension systems, and paid leave can add five figures of annual value. Total comp helps explain why public-sector legal careers remain competitive against private mid-market firms in California.
California Prosecutor Pay Fast Answers and Field Notes
If you’re comparing offers, the number you land on depends on county scale, cost of living, and your step placement. Use public postings and county HR tables as ground truth—and weigh the value of pensions and training. Here are the key levers:
- County & Metro Premiums: Large metros (SF, LA) often pay more; SF listed $153,140–$268,320 for Assistant/Deputy DAs in 2025—one of the state’s broadest bands.
- Entry Step Reality: LA postings show Deputy DA I ranges in the $76K–$103K area. Expect starting offers near the lower steps, with scheduled increases.
- Elected DA Ceiling: LA’s District Attorney department-head base was about $416,462 (Dec 2024), representing the upper executive tier.
- Compare to Lawyer Market: California’s mean lawyer wage (~$213,860 in 2023) shows prosecutors compete well versus many in-house and mid-market roles, especially when benefits are added.
- Experience & Unit Choice: Trial-heavy rotations, major-case assignments, and leadership duties can accelerate step movement—speeding compensation growth.
- Total Compensation, Not Just Base: Healthcare, retirement, training, bar dues, and paid leave materially boost real value over time. When you factor commuting costs (parking, tolls, fuel) and potential vehicle upgrades into your budget, it clarifies your true take-home position—hey, if a new ride is on the horizon, have a little fun shortlisting names from Baddie Car Names while you price insurance and maintenance.
California DA Salary Breakdown Step by Step
Start with your target county. Check current postings and the civil service step table. In Los Angeles and other large offices, entry-level Deputy District Attorney roles pay a base that is competitive for public service. As you advance through felony trials and leadership assignments, you move into higher steps and, eventually, senior deputy or assistant chief roles. In San Francisco, the posted range for Assistant/Deputy District Attorney has reached into the mid-$200Ks, reflecting metro cost and talent competition. Use those figures to calibrate expectations, but always verify the exact step language in the posting.
Next, budget with total compensation in mind. Benefits and pension contributions add significant value to any offer. When you evaluate opportunities, add the employer share of health care, retirement, paid time off accruals, bar dues, and training to your spreadsheet. If two counties post similar bases, the stronger benefits package may be worth thousands each year.
Finally, look beyond year one. Your pay trajectory can rise steadily with each successful rotation and evaluation. Prosecutors who develop niche expertise—white-collar fraud, organized crime, environmental enforcement—often find themselves on faster promotion paths. If you want leadership, volunteer for policy projects, mentoring, and cross-agency task forces. These contributions, paired with courtroom results, are what move compensation from an entry step to the top of the schedule.
California Prosecutor Compensation Steps and Mobility
Use this quick guide to map your pay trajectory by county and career stage. Start with step-placement rules, training budgets, and trial expectations, then compare metro premiums, mobility options, and executive ceilings to plan your next move.
- Entry-Level Checklist: Confirm step-placement policy, probation length, and evaluation cadence.
Ask about training budgets and trial-count expectations tied to step movement.
- Mid-Career Levers: Seek complex case assignments; track outcomes and leadership tasks.
Consider lateral moves to larger counties if growth stalls.
- County Comparisons—synonyms for your search: California DA salary,” “California prosecutor pay,” “Deputy District Attorney compensation CA” help pull the most relevant postings.
- Market Context & Mobility: BLS shows California lawyers among the nation’s best-paid, which supports competitive DA pay bands statewide. Use this to frame negotiations tactfully.
- Executive Tier—Elected DA snapshot: In major counties, the District Attorney’s pay reflects top department-head rates (e.g., LA’s ~$416K base listed in late 2024). This sets the outer bound on the local ladder.
Conclusion
The short answer to how much does a district attorney make in california is: it depends on county, class, and step—but the ceiling is high and the path is structured. Benchmarks show entry deputies in big counties starting in the high-$70Ks to low-$100Ks, mid-career pushing toward $150K–$200K+, and top postings in SF reaching the mid-$200Ks; department-head DA pay can exceed $400K in LA. Benefits, pensions, and predictable raises make the “California DA salary” package compelling over a full career. Use real postings, verify step tables, and shape your rotations to accelerate advancement.
FAQ’s
What is the starting salary for a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles?
Recent postings show Deputy District Attorney I ranges around $76,616–$103,240 annually, depending on step.
How high can an Assistant/Deputy District Attorney salary go in San Francisco?
A 2025 listing showed $153,140–$268,320 for Assistant/Deputy DA roles.
How does California DA pay compare to the broader lawyer market?
California’s mean lawyer wage was about $213,860 (May 2023), placing the state near the top nationally.
What does the elected District Attorney earn in a large county?
LA County’s District Attorney department-head base was listed at about $416,462 in December 2024.
Do benefits materially change total compensation?
Yes. Health coverage, pension contributions, paid leave, and dues/training support often add five figures of value annually—crucial when comparing similar base salaries.
