how much money does a jag lawyer make

by Gabe VonRueden 8 min read

The salary trajectory of an Army JAG Attorney ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $76,948 per year and goes up to $79,942 per year for the highest level of seniority.

US Army Salary FAQs
How does the salary as an Army JAG Attorney at US Army compare with the base salary range for this job? The average salary for an Army JAG Attorney is $107,278 per year in United States, which is 5% higher than the average US Army salary of $101,845 per year for this job.
Apr 18, 2022

Full Answer

How much does a JAG make?

What are the benefits of being a JAG?

How much does a lawyer make in 2011?

How much does a military officer make in a year?

What is the military's legal team called?

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Do Jags make good money?

The average Army Jag Officer in the US makes $57,121. Army Jag Officers make the most in San Francisco, CA at $86,173, averaging total compensation 51% greater than the US average.

Is being a JAG worth it?

By becoming a JAG, you are guaranteed a career that has rotating assignments by location and practice area, exposing you to the world and the law in ways you could have never imagined. It provides unrivaled practical and hands-on experience to springboard your career.

How hard is it to get into JAG?

Depending on the service branch, the acceptance rate for JAG Corps applicants is typically between 4-7%. The Army, for instance, receives about 4000 applications every year and only accepts around 200.

Does JAG Corps pay law school?

Will the JAG Corps pay for my law school? Yes, through the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), the Army covers the cost of law school for up to 25 active-duty Officers and non-commissioned Officers every year.

Do JAGs see combat?

Yes, JAGs do get deployed to areas all over the world. JAGs serve as legal advisers to military commanders and have many responsibilities, including providing legal opinions on whether military actions comply with the laws of armed conflict to prosecuting or defending service members in courts martial.

How much do Navy JAGs make?

Salary Ranges for Navy Jag Corps The salaries of Navy Jag Corps in the US range from $10,518 to $211,773 , with a median salary of $38,846 . The middle 57% of Navy Jag Corps makes between $38,846 and $96,438, with the top 86% making $211,773.

What rank is a lawyer in the Army?

Coast Guard lawyers start at the highest rank, O-3. Marine, Air Force and Navy military lawyers start at the rank of O-2, and Army lawyers start at the rank of O-1.

How long do JAG officers serve?

four yearsJAG attorneys are required to serve at least four years on active duty and usually four more years on inactive status afterward. The freedom to change jobs, take vacations, and many more aspects of daily life are limited. JAG attorneys will likely not live in one location for long.

Do you go to law school before becoming a JAG?

To become a JAG lawyer, you'll need to go to law school and attend the Officer Candidate School, which is the training academy for prospective military officers. You must also be a US citizen, pass a security clearance, and meet the physical requirements for the branch of the military you choose.

What rank do JAG officers start at?

New Army Judge Advocates enter service as First Lieutenants (O-2) and are promoted to Captain (O-3) six to nine months later. Officers receive a raise in basic pay upon promotion to Captain and receive automatic pay increases after serving 2, 3, and 4 years.

What military branch pays the most starting salary?

The highest pays by branch are:Army: $646.Marine Corps: $750.Navy: $750.Air Force: $520.Coast Guard: $805.

Do JAG officers travel?

As a JAG, you'll be able to travel as well as live and work in exciting locations all over the world. And while you're serving your country, you will have the opportunity to continue your education through specialized training in an array of legal fields.

How much does a Army JAG Attorney at US Army make?

The typical US Army Army JAG Attorney salary is $76,535. Army JAG Attorney salaries at US Army can range from $13,488 - $434,289. This estimate is...

How does the salary as an Army JAG Attorney at US Army compare with the base salary range for this j...

The average salary for an Army JAG Attorney is $96,548 per year in United States, which is 26% higher than the average US Army salary of $76,535 pe...

What is the salary trajectory of an Army JAG Attorney?

The salary trajectory of an Army JAG Attorney ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $76,948 per year and goes up to $79,942...

How much does a JAG make?

The highest starting salary is earned by Army JAG officers, with a yearly salary of $44,000 per year at the rank of captain. Most Army advocates stay at the level of captain through out their careers. The salary for this rank caps at $72,000 per year after 14 years of service.

What are the benefits of being a JAG?

Benefits. JAG officers are entitled to a long list of benefits. Free health and dental insurance, life insurance, and excellent retirement packages are all made available to JAG attorneys. In addition, numerous military related perks, such as commissary access and reduced price travel also contribute to the value of a military lawyer's salary.

How much does a lawyer make in 2011?

In 2011, the average salary of a private practice attorney was $113,310, ranging from $54,000 at the low end to $187,000 at the high end. By comparison, the average salary of a JAG officer is $65,000 per year. While military lawyers appear to earn substantially less than their civilian counterparts, the totality of the military salary, allowances and benefit package still make this a viable choice of careers.

How much does a military officer make in a year?

The salary for this rank caps at $72,000 per year after 14 years of service. All other branches typically start at about $40,000 per year and in all branches, rank and salaries increase with years of continued service.

What is the military's legal team called?

When the military needs to handle internal legal matters, it turns to a a group of specially trained lawyers, called the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Each service branch has its own attorneys, who cover such practice areas as environmental law, criminal matters and international law.

What does a JAG lawyer do?

Except for the Coast Guard, all JAG Corps lawyers have opportunities to practice law at international duty stations.

What are the benefits of being a military lawyer?

Military lawyers receive substantial benefits and perks that make this career attractive. Free housing, meals , health care and travel are the most common military benefits. The JAG Corps also offers free advanced legal education to its officers who want to pursue the Master of Laws degree. Educational benefits for dependents, temporary duty travel ...

What is the job of a lawyer in the military?

All five branches of the U.S. military employ lawyers who serve on active duty as members of the military's Judge Advocate General Corps. Every member of this corps is a commissioned officer with a salary that depends on rank and time in service. Beginning JAG corps salaries vary because each branch has different initial ranks for its JAGs.

Why are military jobs good?

Job opportunities in all branches of the military are good. Because active-duty service is voluntary, the military recruits constantly to maintain the readiness and strength of the armed forces. New opportunities arise as commissioned JAG officers advance through the ranks or retire from service.

What is a military lawyer?

Military lawyers practice in a wide range of legal areas as prosecutors and defenders. In some cases, they represent the United States government, and in others, they represent members of the armed services. Some JAGs specialize in military law, but others provide legal advice to service personnel about real estate, contracts or family law.

How long does it take to get promoted to a higher rank?

Although some branches have lower starting salaries, promotion to a higher rank generally happens between six months to a year.

Do you have to be a law student to be a JAG?

All branches require military lawyers to be at least third-year law students to apply for positions in the JAG Corps. To serve on active duty, you must graduate from law school and pass the bar in any state or the District of Columbia. Every branch also requires its lawyers to attend Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School for the Air Force. After graduation from OCS or OTS, military lawyers complete advanced JAG training programs required by each branch.

How much does an Air Force JAG make?

Air Force JAG salary starts at $3,850.50 per month in base pay, which translates to $46,206 annually. Air Force benefits include a housing allowance adjusted for local cost of living, medical and dental benefits, and 30 days of paid vacation a year.

What is a JAG in the Air Force?

Lawyers who work in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps serve the Air Force and its service members in a variety of ways, working as prosecutors, defense counsel and judges. After a few years of service, JAG officers who undertake additional legal training serve in highly specialized subfields such as procurement and government contracts, ...

How many people graduate from the Air Force with a law degree?

Commissions to the Air Force JAG can be competitive. On average in the United States, more than 40,000 people graduate with a law degree each year and seek employment in their field.

What is the pay grade for a first lieutenant?

Air Force. You'll enter the service as a First Lieutenant, which is pay grade O-2. Career advancement and diverse opportunities are some of the perks you'll enjoy.

How to become an Air Force lawyer?

To get a direct appointment as an attorney with the Air Force, you must have graduated with a Juris Doctor (or be close to graduation) from a law school approved by the American Bar Association.

Where is the JAG training?

A JAG officer gets an introduction to military life and law beginning with Commissioned Officer Training followed by the Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course conducted at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. A number of opportunities exist for lawyers as they are promoted through the ranks, including leadership and teaching.

Does the Air Force allow law school?

Each year the Air Force select s a very few active duty service members to attend law school while remaining on the job. The number of participants each year depends on available funding. If selected, service members receive tuition, fees and a book allowance in addition to regular military pay and benefits.

How much do lawyers make?

Lawyers made a median salary of $122,960 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $186,350 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $80,950.

Which state pays the most lawyers?

Best-Paying States for Lawyers. The states and districts that pay Lawyers the highest mean salary are District of Columbia ($192,180), California ($173,970), New York ($168,780), Massachusetts ($164,800), and Illinois ($157,010).

What is the job of assistant city attorney?

Assistant City Attorney PURPOSE OF THE CLASSIFICATION: Provides legal advice and representation; drafts and administers a variety of contracts for which the City is a party; conducts significant and ...

Join a Firm Unlike Any Other

The U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, or JAG Corps, is a government law organization and one of the country’s largest law firms.

The Army Lawyer Advantage

As an Army lawyer in the JAG Corps, you’ll gain experience that you wouldn’t get at a traditional law firm.

Areas of Legal Practice

From offering legal assistance to Soldiers, to representing the United States government in civil cases, the work you do in the Army JAG Corps can change lives—and even history.

Represent and Advise Soldiers and Commanders

Get the chance to serve as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, government or defense appellate counsel, or as a military judge. You’ll be responsible for prosecuting courts-martial or representing Soldiers accused of committing a crime.

Represent and Advise on Behalf of the Army

You’ll be working with the Department of Justice to represent the U.S. Government in civil cases. You’ll also be responsible for negotiating settlements and arguing cases before administrative judges and federal courts.

Serve Your Country Part-Time

You can keep your job at a civilian law firm and serve part-time through the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

JAG Summer Law Internship Program

Step into the role of an Army attorney and work on real cases at JAG Corps offices worldwide through the Summer Law Internship Program, a competitive 60-day internship open to qualified second-year law students.

How much does a JAG make?

The highest starting salary is earned by Army JAG officers, with a yearly salary of $44,000 per year at the rank of captain. Most Army advocates stay at the level of captain through out their careers. The salary for this rank caps at $72,000 per year after 14 years of service.

What are the benefits of being a JAG?

Benefits. JAG officers are entitled to a long list of benefits. Free health and dental insurance, life insurance, and excellent retirement packages are all made available to JAG attorneys. In addition, numerous military related perks, such as commissary access and reduced price travel also contribute to the value of a military lawyer's salary.

How much does a lawyer make in 2011?

In 2011, the average salary of a private practice attorney was $113,310, ranging from $54,000 at the low end to $187,000 at the high end. By comparison, the average salary of a JAG officer is $65,000 per year. While military lawyers appear to earn substantially less than their civilian counterparts, the totality of the military salary, allowances and benefit package still make this a viable choice of careers.

How much does a military officer make in a year?

The salary for this rank caps at $72,000 per year after 14 years of service. All other branches typically start at about $40,000 per year and in all branches, rank and salaries increase with years of continued service.

What is the military's legal team called?

When the military needs to handle internal legal matters, it turns to a a group of specially trained lawyers, called the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Each service branch has its own attorneys, who cover such practice areas as environmental law, criminal matters and international law.

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Income

  • The Navy JAG Corps offers active-duty judge advocates a competitive starting salary. The total compensation includes basic pay and certain non-taxable allowances, such as those for housing and subs...
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Health and Life Insurance

  1. Full medical and dental coveragein Navy or civilian facilities for the service member and his/her dependent family.
  2. $400,000 life insurancepolicy for $29/month.
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Education Financial Assistance

  1. School debt repayment: Under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, you may qualify for loan forgiveness and an income-driven repayment plan.
  2. Retention Bonuses: Navy JAG Corps officers are eligible for a total of $60,000 in retention bonuses paid over three installments at different career milestones (at approximately the four-year mark,...
  1. School debt repayment: Under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, you may qualify for loan forgiveness and an income-driven repayment plan.
  2. Retention Bonuses: Navy JAG Corps officers are eligible for a total of $60,000 in retention bonuses paid over three installments at different career milestones (at approximately the four-year mark,...
  3. Funded Graduate Education: Navy judge advocates have the opportunity for fully funded graduate education leading to award of a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree. Navy judge advocates have attended grad...
  4. GI Bill & Transferability: Transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children.

Retirement

  1. 401k-like Thrift Savings Plan.Automatic 1% DoD contribution to the service member’s Thrift Savings Plan, and up to 4% Department of Defense matching contributions.
  2. Generous retirementincome after 20 years of service.
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Time Off

  1. 30 days paid vacation each year.
  2. 10 paid federal holidays per year.
  3. Sick leave for personal medical needs or care of family members and adoption.
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Life and Work Balance

  1. 12 weeks paid maternity leave for service members who give birth; 10 days parental leave for service members that adopt children or whose spouse has given birth.
  2. Subsidizedchild care, an exceptional family member program, and youth programs.
  3. Department of Defense schoolsin some geographic locations.
  4. Recreational discounts and services through Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)programs.
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Travel

  1. Foreign duty and travel opportunities through temporary or permanent assignments.
  2. Discounted travel.
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Moving Assistance

  • The Department of Defense will contract with a commercial mover for the movement of your household goods to your first permanent duty station. Both you and your family are reimbursed for travel exp...
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Additional Privileges

  1. Access to military exchanges(worldwide chain of tax-free “department stores”), which sell brand-name items at discounts.
  2. Access to military commissaries(tax-free grocery stores) that save military families approximately 25% on their food bills.
  3. Use of officers clubs around the world.
  1. Access to military exchanges(worldwide chain of tax-free “department stores”), which sell brand-name items at discounts.
  2. Access to military commissaries(tax-free grocery stores) that save military families approximately 25% on their food bills.
  3. Use of officers clubs around the world.
  4. VA Guaranteed Home Loan Program.