how much does a federal lawyer make

by Elyssa Marks 6 min read

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $179,500 and as low as $25,500, the majority of Federal Attorney salaries currently range between $66,000 (25th percentile) to $108,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $144,500 annually across the United States.

How much does a Federal Lawyer make? The average Federal Lawyer in the US makes $79,082. Federal Lawyers make the most in San Francisco, CA at $119,379, averaging total compensation 51% greater than the US average.

Full Answer

How much does a lawyer make in the United States?

Mar 05, 2022 · When factoring in bonuses and additional compensation, a Attorney at United States Federal Government can expect to make an average total pay of $154,983 per year.

What is the estimated beginning salary of a lawyer?

A Federal Attorney in your area makes on average $98,351 per year, or $2,276 (2%) more than the national average annual salary of $96,075. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for Federal Attorney salaries.

How much can a lawyer expect to get paid?

Jul 05, 2017 · Although the first year salary for a federal government lawyer does not compare with that of the first year salary of a big law associate in New York City, $160,000, it is nothing to sneeze at. Government agencies are notorious for offering lower pay than employers in the private market, with the state governments having the lowest salaries, starting in the $30,000-$40,000 …

What is the average salary of a FBI?

Jan 06, 2022 · Attorneys who work for the federal government make an average of $130,210, as opposed to state government lawyers, who earn a more modest $82,190 a year on average. 9. IP Lawyer Salary Intellectual property law is a complex field that requires a deep understanding of relevant laws in addition to a creative and analytical way of thinking.

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What type of attorney gets paid the most?

Types Of Lawyers That Make The Most MoneyMedical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.Dec 18, 2020

What lawyers make millions of dollars?

Lawyers who work for corporations can earn millions of dollars as a general counsel. The general counsel for a corporation handles everything from contracts and employment law to corporate structure, intellectual law, and litigation. In many cases, a general counsel oversees other attorneys and outside counsel.Nov 30, 2020

How much do federal lawyers make in Canada?

The typical Government of Canada Lawyer salary is $100,176 per year. Lawyer salaries at Government of Canada can range from $71,390 - $150,501 per year.Mar 7, 2022

Can a lawyer make 500K?

How much do attorneys make? Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for attorneys in the US is less than $120K. The top 10% make over $208K. However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500K or more per year.Feb 24, 2022

Is medical school or law school harder?

You probably already know that law school is tough. But someone else says that medical school is tougher. No, law school is tougher than medical school.Feb 12, 2021

What is the highest paying job in the world?

Highest-Paying CareersRankOccupationTypical Education1Anesthesiologists$208,000+2General Internal Medicine Physicians$208,000+3Obstetricians and Gynecologists$208,000+8 more rows

What is the highest paying job in Canada?

Highest paying jobs in CanadaPhysician/Doctor – 150,000 CAD/year.Lawyer – 135,000 CAD/year.Miner/Oil and Gas Driller – 77,250 CAD/year.Dentist – 75,000 CAD/year.Registered Nurses – 74,000 CAD/year.Jan 13, 2022

What type of lawyer makes the most money in Canada?

What type of lawyer gets paid the most in Canada? Medical Lawyers typically make the highest yearly salary. This type of lawyer provides their clients with a variety of legal advisement and services related to medical law.Dec 7, 2021

How much does a Federal Attorney make?

The average annual pay for a Federal Attorney in Chicago is $96,075 an year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be...

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Federal Attorney Jobs?

Richmond, CA($117,556)Stamford, CT($114,470)Bellevue, WA($114,212)Lakes, AK($110,206)San Francisco, CA($110,179)Palmdale, CA($108,993)Santa Clara,...

What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Federal Attorney Jobs in the U.S.?

Attorney Partner($152,620)Healthcare Attorney($147,812)Health Care Attorney($147,812)Insurance Attorney($137,802)Corporate Attorney($129,120)

How much does a Federal Attorney make?

As of Aug 7, 2021, the average annual pay for a Federal Attorney in the United States is $96,075 a year.

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Federal Attorney Jobs

We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Federal Attorney job is above the national average. Topping the list is Richmond, CA, with Stamford, CT and Bellevue, WA close behind in the second and third positions.

What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Federal Attorney Jobs in the U.S

We found at least five jobs related to the Federal Attorney job category that pay more per year than a typical Federal Attorney salary. Top examples of these roles include: Attorney Partner, Health Care Attorney, and Healthcare Attorney.

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Top searched states for Federal Attorney Salaries

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How often do judges hire lawyers?

All federal judges hire new attorneys to serve as law clerks either every year or every two years. Judges rely on law school transcripts, writing samples and in-person interviews to decide who they want to work in their chamber.

What is an attorney adviser?

Attorney Advisers. New attorneys also may work in the federal government as attorney advisers. These attorneys conduct research, write briefs and memoranda and advise more senior lawyers and judges, depending on the agency in which they work.

What is a law clerk?

Law clerks conduct extensive legal research, draft legal memoranda, orders and opinions, assist judges in court and advise judges on legal matters. They also interact with lawyers who represent clients, pro se litigants and the public. These lawyers are known as elbow law clerks, because they work closely with judges.

Who is August Jackson?

August Jackson is a contributor to various websites. She has taken courses in copywriting and has worked in corporate America as a proofreader. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Juris Doctor with an emphasis in bankruptcy law. Photo Credits.

What is a legal assistant?

This occupation includes professional legal positions involved in preparing cases for trial and/or the trial of cases before a court or an administrative body or persons having quasi-judicial power; rendering legal advice and services with respect to questions, regulations, practices, or other matters falling within the purview of a Federal Government agency (this may include conducting investigations to obtain evidentiary data); preparing interpretive and administrative orders, rules, or regulations to give effect to the provisions of governing status or other requirements of law; drafting, negotiating, or examining contracts or other legal documents required by the agency's activities; drafting, preparing formal comments, or otherwise making substantive recommendations with respect to proposed legislation; editing and preparing for publication statutes enacted by Congress and opinions or decisions of a court, commission, or board; and drafting and reviewing decisions for consideration and adoption by agency officials. Included also are positions, not covered by the Administrative Procedure Act, involved in hearing cases arising under contracts or under the regulations have the effect of law, and rendering decisions or making recommendations for disposition of such cases. The work of this occupation requires admission to the bar.

Is federal pay public information?

Federal employee salaries are public information under open government laws (5 U.S.C. § 552). FederalPay provides this data in the interest of government transparency — employee data may not be used for commercial soliciting or vending of any kind.

How much do civil rights lawyers make?

The average starting salary for a civil rights lawyer is approximately $45,000 a year, but very capable and experienced attorneys in this field can make as much as $200,000.

What is the job of a tax lawyer?

Tax Lawyer Salary. Tax attorneys act as the representatives of a company, organization or an individual in dealing with federal, state, and local tax agencies. On a day-to-day basis, most tax lawyers give advice to businesses and individuals with regard to all aspects of tax legislation.

What are the responsibilities of a criminal lawyer?

Some of the main responsibilities of a criminal lawyer are to investigate the case at hand, interview witnesses, study case law and procedural law, construct a defense, and plan a strategy for the case. Negotiating plea deals in less serious cases is also within a criminal lawyer’s field of expertise.

What is real estate lawyer?

Real estate lawyers assist their clients in a variety of ways regarding commercial and residential real estate. Issues regarding tenants, neighbors, zoning and property development also fall under the umbrella of real estate law.

What does a personal injury lawyer do?

In case of an accident or injury, personal injury lawyers represent their clients to obtain justice and compensation for any losses or suffering. The vast majority of these cases fall under the area of tort law.

What is intellectual property law?

Intellectual property law is a complex field that requires a deep understanding of relevant laws in addition to a creative and analytical way of thinking. Intellectual property lawyers, or copyright lawyers, make sure that new intellectual inventions and innovations created by individuals gain the protection of the law, and are not infringed upon by competitors.

Why is it important to have a criminal lawyer?

It is important for a criminal lawyer to have superior written and oral advocacy skills in order to successfully argue a case in front of a judge and a jury. Creative thinking and analytical skills also play a significant role in the process of developing a strategy and doing the research for complex court cases.

How much should you negotiate?

See how your offer stacks up to other pay packages and negotiate confidently.

Recent Salary Reports

Below are the most recent federal law clerk salary reports. Employer name has been removed to protect anonymity.

How much do criminal defense lawyers make?

Often pictured on television programs, people think of these lawyers first when it comes to a career in the legal system. However, when it comes to types of lawyers that make the most money, they don’t top the list. They do, however, make an expected salary of $78,500.

How much do immigration lawyers make?

People often seek out immigration lawyers if there happens to be troubles or miscommunication about their ability to stay in the country and work in the country as well. In hard times, these lawyers are called upon to help people remain exactly where they are, and exactly where they belong. On average, a salary for an immigration lawyer rests around $62,000 a year.

What is a criminal lawyer?

Criminal lawyers—defense lawyers and attorneys at law—are just a small portion of what people in the legal field can do. Lawyers all over the world help can help their community and their people by dedicating themselves to ensuring that the law is upheld and that the people are getting the best possible treatment due to things that, sometimes, ...

What is civil rights lawyer?

A person that focuses on cases that revolve around things like equality, social freedom, human rights, and discrimination are civil rights lawyers. Often, they handle the cases where citizens are put under scrutiny for things they cannot control—the color of their skin, perhaps, or their sexual orientation.

What is a family and divorce lawyer?

3: Family and Divorce Lawyers. A family and divorce lawyer is rather self-explanatory. In cases of marriages ending in a separation, a divorce lawyer is a person who settles all necessities when it comes to that break.

What is personal injury lawyer?

Personal injury lawyers are people that provide help to citizens who’ve been harmed by accidents that have occurred. These accidents involve things like car crashes, slip and fall incidents, and things that occur outside of the home on public or private property.

What do bankruptcy lawyers do?

They’ll try to find the most efficient ways to relieve debt and manage their clients costs, while also ensuring that they won’t fall in on themselves.

How much does a prosecutor make in 2021?

The first step of the GS-11 job is reserved for entry-level candidates with a recent law degree and pays approximately ​ $55,756 ​ as of 2021. Those with one year of post-law school clerkship, graduate study or fellowship experience are hired at GS-12, which pays approximately ​ $66,829 ​ starting out. Those with two to three years are hired at GS-13, which pays approximately ​ $79,468 ​.

What are the benefits of being a federal prosecutor?

All federal prosecutors are also entitled to the following benefits under the federal benefits program: annual leave, sick leave, paid holidays, health care coverage, health care flexible spending account, federal long-term care insurance program, life insurance, and Federal Employees Retirement System savings and investment. Attorneys may also be eligible for the Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program. The Department of Justice offers work-life program benefits, an employee assistance program, and flexible work options such as flexible hours, compressed work schedules, telecommuting arrangements, and part-time schedules for some attorneys.

What is a federal prosecutor?

Federal prosecutors pursue legal proceedings against companies, organizations and individuals accused of committing federal crimes . A subset of federal prosecutors are designed as United States attorneys. The practice dates back to the Judiciary Act of 1789, which directed President George Washington to appoint a person to act as an attorney for the United States in each of the 13 federal districts.

What is the Department of Justice?

The Department of Justice offers work-life program benefits, an employee assistance program, and flexible work options such as flexible hours, compressed work schedules, telecommuting arrangements, and part-time schedules for some attorneys.

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The Lawyer’S Overall Years of Experience

  • Experience is among the most-important factors that will determine a federal criminal defense lawyer’s salary. As with most careers, as a lawyer gains experience, the lawyer’s salary will increase commensurately. In fact, over the course of their careers, federal criminal defense lawyers’ salaries can change drastically. Even if a federal criminal defense lawyer starts out wit…
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The Lawyer’S Experience in Federal Criminal Cases

  • While overall experience is a key factor, relevantexperience is even more important in many respects. In fact, this will bleed into several of the other factors we discuss below. As we mentioned above, federal criminal defense is a unique area of practice, and even a highly-experienced state criminal defense lawyer won’t necessarily be able to jump into defending clien…
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The Types of Federal Cases The Lawyer Handles

  • Within the area of federal criminal defense, there are numeroussubareas of practice. Defending clients against federal drug charges and murder charges is very different from defending clients against charges of health care fraud and securities fraud, for example. While no one area of federal practice is inherently “better” than any other, cases that involve more sophisticated issue…
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The Size of The Lawyer’S Firm

  • Firm size is a relevant factor when it comes to federal criminal defense lawyers’ salaries as well. It is no secret that big law firms typically pay more than one and two-lawyer offices. However, due to the unique nature of federal criminal practice, many smaller and mid-sized firms have carved out niches in this space. These “boutique” firms often work with a high volume of sophisticated clien…
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How Much Business The Lawyer Creates For The Firm

  • As lawyers progress in their career, they are expected to generate business for their firms. The ability to generate business is a key factor in lawyers’ compensation and their ability to make partner—which go hand-in-hand in many cases. There are a number of ways that lawyers can generate business, and there are seminars and coaching services lawyers can utilize to help gro…
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The Lawyer’S Case History

  • A lawyer who has an extensive case history in federal criminal matters will generally be able to command a higher salary than a lawyer whose case history is limited. This is related to, though not necessarily in lockstep with, a lawyer’s experience. Some lawyers are more efficient than others, and some have more success than others as well. So, while the length of a lawyer’s care…
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The Lawyer’S Reputation

  • If a lawyer has a strong reputation in the federal defense bar, this can provide significant leverage in salary negotiations. The lawyer may have several firms vying for his or her services, and the lawyer will be able to use this to his or her advantage. Typically, a lawyer’s reputation is gained through experience and results. Publishing articles and gaining media exposure can enhance a l…
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The Lawyer’S Capabilities

  • Clients are willing to pay for success, and this means that law firms are willing to pay lawyers who can consistently deliver positive results. Federal criminal defense lawyers who are able to routinely achieve favorable outcomes during investigations, grand jury proceedings, and criminal trials will provide firms with strong selling points, and they will usually see their salaries rise the …
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The Geographic Location Where The Lawyer Practices

  • Geography is an important factor for determining federal criminal defense lawyers’ salaries. For example, ZipRecruiter reports that major cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. are among the locales with the highest average salaries for federal criminal defense lawyers. Additionally, Comparably reports that while federal criminal defense lawyers’ b…
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The Lawyer’S Assumption of A Partnership Or Leadership Role

  • Finally, we touched on partnership briefly, but it is work addressing on its own. As lawyers advance in their careers, becoming a partner, and then taking on a leadership role such as managing partner, can have a significant impact on their overall compensation. For many lawyers, making partner is one of their primary career goals—specifically because of the financial benefit…
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