As is true for any profession, attorney salaries can differ widely depending on where one works in their profession. For example, highly-sought after law graduates often secure employment at major firms in major cities.
But legal field also encompasses prosecutor, public defenders and smaller law firms that serve clients who prefer lower legal firm rates; this has created what’s known as bimodal salary distribution.
How Much Do Lawyers Make?
As you begin or consider entering the profession of law, it can be helpful to be informed on entry-level salaries in your region. This enables you to better plan for life as an attorney and manage student loan debt (which averages $135,740 according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Due to their demanding nature, lawyers typically earn different rates depending on their practice area. Corporate lawyers who manage legal issues for businesses and law firms tend to make more than those working in less specialized fields; additionally, attorneys specializing in medical malpractice or intellectual property typically receive higher wages due to the complexity of these cases and the high stakes at play.
Salary considerations also include cost of living and firm size. To view an interactive breakdown of hourly lawyer rates by state and region, as well as adjusted rates to account for cost of living adjustments, please view Clio’s Legal Trends Report.
What is a Lawyer’s Salary?
A lawyer’s salary provides enough income for comfortable living in most locations, as well as paying off student loans, investing for retirement and having funds left over to spend on fun things!
Location and practice area have an enormous effect on salaries. In major cities with plenty of law firms and clients willing to pay top dollar for quality representation, salaries tend to be higher. Highly-ranked schools are another factor; large firms often recruit from elite programs and hire the top graduates.
Tax, patent and healthcare lawyers tend to enjoy higher pay than any other field due to high demand and job security in these sectors. Other high-paying specializations include personal injury and real estate. Real estate attorneys help buyers and sellers navigate issues related to ownership, leasing, zoning and more.
How Much Does a Lawyer Earn?
Attorneys make vastly differing salaries depending on the field and type of law they practice, such as personal injury. A personal injury attorney typically works on contingency fees; that is, they receive a percentage of any settlement received for clients they represent.
Corporate lawyers typically earn significantly more. Their primary role is ensuring businesses follow laws, managing contracts, and offering advice regarding employment or copyrights issues. Corporate lawyers who find their niche within one company will likely see their salaries increase year over year.
Government lawyers often make a lucrative salary. Representing cities, states and countries in criminal and civil matters respectively. On average they typically earn around $93,070 locally, $81,960 at state level and an estimated average federally of around $129.430 per year.
How Much Does a Lawyer Make in the U.S.
As can be seen, attorney salaries differ widely based on factors like region and specialization. Lawyers working in large law firms with specialized fields tend to earn the highest salaries; additionally, metropolitan areas with high costs of living such as New York City or San Francisco tend to offer greater rewards.
Under-compensated lawyers earn significantly less in comparison with their higher-paying counterparts; education, healthcare and social assistance industries account for the lowest wages for lawyers.
Clio offers an online Lawyer Salary Calculator tool, making it easier than ever before to learn about lawyer salaries across the United States. This handy calculator displays hourly rates by state as well as adjusted rates that reflect each region’s cost of living, average starting salaries for attorneys at different experience levels and more – making it simple for you to locate the optimal lawyer salary! All results come directly from Bureau of Labor Statistics data which includes those working in private practice, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.