Federal government lawyers will earn a salary of $146,560 per year, while state government lawyers will make an average of $97,440 a year. The cost of a lawyer’s education and training can vary significantly. While the average legal salary for a first-year attorney is approximately $205,000, bonuses of up to $12k are common.
Rank | State | 2015 Average Salary |
---|---|---|
12 | Pennsylvania | $131,090 |
13 | Washington | $124,000 |
14 | Wisconsin | $101,990 |
15 | North Carolina | $123,940 |
The typical salary range for lawyers starts at $14,000 per year and reaches $204,000 per year. Factors like their geographic locations, experience level and specialty area impact lawyers' earning potential.
Best-Paying States for Lawyers. The states and districts that pay Lawyers the highest mean salary are District of Columbia ($189,560), California ($168,200), New York ($165,260), Massachusetts ($157,450), and Connecticut ($152,540).
If you’re unsure about what salary is appropriate for a lawyer, visit Indeed's Salary Calculator to get a free, personalized pay range based on your location, industry and experience. Was this answer helpful? How much do similar professions to lawyer get paid?
Significantly, New York has a very active Lawyer job market as there are several companies currently hiring for this type of role. With only a handful of states paying above the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by moving to a new locationas a Lawyer is a decision to make with some caution.
The average salary for a lawyer is $5,233 per month in the United States. 291 salaries reported, updated at February 18, 2022.
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If you’re unsure about what salary is appropriate for a lawyer, visit Indeed's Salary Calculator to get a free, personalized pay range based on your location, industry and experience.
First of all, lawyers earn more as they gain experience. A lawyer with less than a year of experience can expect to earn around $65,000 annually, while an experienced attorney with over two decades of experience can earn upwards of $140,000.
For example, an average corporate lawyer can make $98,822 in 2019, but an average medical lawyer can make $150,881 annually.
Lawyers and attorneys legally practicing in the United States must have a Juris Doctor (JD), a doctoral degree that takes three years to earn. Only after you’ve earned a JD can you take the bar exam in the state you want to practice in.
The bar exams are designed to be difficult because it’s meant to test both your aptitude for the law and how competent you’ll be as a practicing lawyer. Many lawyers today claim that it’s easy to get into law school, but not everyone becomes a lawyer.
The lowest-paid quarter earned around $79,160. This is still quite a lot, considering the median income in the United States for 2019 is $48,672. However, earning this amount isn’t as easy as graduating law school and entering a law firm.
So, any major can be useful for law school as long as it provides you with the advantage to thrive in your chosen branch of the law. While there is no hard requirement on the bachelor degree or the college or university you came from, some law schools might be particular about the students they let in.
There are a lot of ways to earn money, and there are other career options that are just as profitable.
Lawyers make an average of $73,604 per year in the United States. The typical salary range for lawyers starts at $14,000 per year and reaches $204,000 per year. Factors like their geographic locations, experience level and specialty area impact lawyers' earning potential. Related: Learn About Being a Lawyer.
Employment lawyer. National average salary: $146,926 per year. Primary duties: Employment lawyers work with labor issues and the legal rights of workers and employees. They can handle matters ranging from firing and dismissal to compensation and benefits.
Primary duties: Legal secretaries provide clerical assistance in law offices, where they support lawyers and paralegals. They draft correspondence to clients and opposing parties, transcribe legal documents, monitor deadlines for filing documents and schedule meetings with clients and other parties. Legal secretaries may also perform basic case research.
Primary duties: Also known as trial lawyers, litigation lawyers assist clients with civil lawsuits. They conduct investigations, oversee the discovery process, represent clients in court and manage the settlement process. Litigation lawyers can represent either plaintiffs or defendants, and they assist with appeals when necessary.
Primary duties: Immigration lawyers help new residents navigate the immigration process in their new country. These lawyers can work independently with individuals or assist groups of immigrants on behalf of their employers. Immigration lawyers help clients obtain and complete required paperwork, explain laws and regulations and represent clients in court.
Primary duties: Also known as military lawyers, judge advocates handle legal and justice issues that pertain to the military. These lawyers are commissioned officers who work for one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, where they provide specialized legal advice, prosecute alleged criminals and defend clients in court.
Court clerk. National average salary: $16.90 per hour. Primary duties: Court clerks work in federal and local courts, where they assist judges, lawyers and court officers. They assist witnesses and jurors with oaths, document court appearances, track the receipt of legal documents and update court records.