what palce does a lawyer most get paid

by Sven Abbott 9 min read

Here are the states with the highest salaries for attorneys: 1. District of Columbia — $192,530 2. California — $171,550 3. New York — $167,110 4. Massachusetts — $165,610 5. Connecticut — $153,640 But pay differs not only between states but between cities as well.

The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the lawyer profession are San Jose, San Francisco, Washington, Los Angeles, and New York.
  • San Jose, California. $231,610.
  • San Francisco, California. $201,920.
  • Washington, District of Columbia. $186,070.
  • Los Angeles, California. $180,220.
  • New York, New York. $180,160.

Full Answer

What kind of lawyer makes the most money?

Which Type of Law Has the Highest Paid Lawyers?

  1. Corporate Law. The primary role of a corporate lawyer in a large law firm is to ensure the legality of company transactions.
  2. Criminal Law. Criminal defense lawyers represent individuals under investigation for a crime or who have been arrested for a crime.
  3. Bankruptcy Law. ...
  4. Family Law. ...
  5. Immigration Law. ...
  6. Civil Rights Lawyer. ...
  7. Personal Injury Lawyer. ...

What are the wages lawyers usually get paid?

Getting Paid for On-Call Time

  • If You Are On Call at Work. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you must be paid for time you spend at the worksite, even if you're not ...
  • If You Are On Call Elsewhere. ...
  • Once You Are Called, You Must Be Paid. ...
  • An Employment Lawyer Can Help. ...

How much do lawyers really earn?

  • Small law firms: Between $​ 72,000 and $103,000
  • Small to midsize law firms: between ​ $78,750 and $120,500
  • Midsize law firms: Between ​ $104,500 and $144,000
  • Large law firms: between ​ $134,000 and $178,250

Why do lawyers earn so much?

lawyers!

  • Intelligence. Could the average lawyer simply possess a higher level of intelligence than the average engineer and therefore rightfully be paid more?
  • Employment. For those that do manage to enrol and complete law degrees, they are faced with a tougher employment market.
  • Working hours. ...
  • Professionalism. ...

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10. United Kingdom

It has been a difficult period for the UK, with the instability of Brexit hot on the tails of an already devastating economic crisis. But things are looking up, and the British government reported growth of 0.6% in last quarter of the ’16.

5. Japan

Japan is known for its technological superiority, but its economy isn’t just based on exporting of electronics and technology. It currently has the 3 rd highest GDP in the world and the fourth highest purchasing power. Their economy today focuses on automobiles, precision and high-tech goods.

4. South Africa

It’s Africa’s second wealthiest country (after Nigeria) and has a steadily growing middle-class. One of only four other countries in Africa to enjoy an upper-middle-income economy, S. Africa not only has a strong economy but it also has a growing one.

3. Hong Kong

Known as the “Fragrant Bay” or the “Pearl of the Orient” Hong Kong has established itself as one of the primary financial hubs of the Asian Continent. With an economy largely based on the financial sector and the service industry, Hong Kong has evolved into a multicultural melting pot, due to its high salaries and quality of life.

2. Switzerland

It is no surprise that one of the world’s leading financial industry power-houses and foremost economies would have well-compensated workers. Not only is Switzerland known for its banking sector its citizens’ also enjoy one of the highest qualities of life across the world.

1. United States

At the top of the list is one of the world’s most litigious countries in the world: the United States. Lawyers are extremely high-value individuals in the States, that charge extraordinary amounts of money for their services. An American Lawyer with a mere one to four years of experience can bring home a whopping £166,510.23.

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 ...

How much do corporate lawyers make?

At the low end of the salary scales, some corporate lawyers make less than some schoolteachers–$66,000. The more successful corporate lawyers can earn well into six figures, though.

How much do tax attorneys make?

Tax attorneys make $80,000 on the low side and $105,000 on the high scale, with most practitioners making nearly $100K. This type of attorney represents a company that deals with federal, state, or even local taxing bodies.

Why do IP lawyers make so much money?

One of the reasons IP lawyers make so much is due to the fact that it can be difficult to sort out IP facts and prove the case evidentially.

What are the skills needed to be a successful trial attorney?

They need to stay current with new, potentially precedent-setting cases. Their verbal, writing, and memory skills should also be top-notch. Personality also plays a huge role in trial attorneys’ compensation. The best trial attorneys are confident, persuasive courtroom performers who are nimble on their feet.

What does an IP lawyer do?

IP lawyers usually deal with patents that protect inventors’ rights and keep copycat competitors at bay during the time period the patent is valid. The stringent patent application process can be challenging even for experienced IP attorneys, so competition for the best, most experienced IP lawyers is high.

How much does a lawyer make in 2021?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average lawyer’s salary is $144,230.

Do trial lawyers make a living?

Some are barely surviving while others are swimming in cash. However, there’s no doubt that a lawyer with a penchant for the courtroom can earn a decent living.

What Kind of Lawyer Makes the Most Money?

What type of lawyer makes the most money? The median salary for different specialties differs. Some of the highest-paid types of lawyers and most lucrative specialties include the following.

What Factors Influence the Salaries of Attorneys?

Many factors affect how much lawyers earn; however, the salary range for lawyers varies widely. As of 2019, the average lawyer earned $126,930 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Conclusions

There’s a large difference in average salaries between different practice areas, especially about halfway down the list. The highest-paid lawyers make considerably more on average than the lowest-paid ones. As an example, medical lawyers earn more than average salaries, while family-law attorneys earn a salary that falls below the average.

What is an attorney at law?

An attorney at law or (trial lawyer) is a practicing lawyer who counsels and represents their clients and legal rights in both civil and criminal cases. Attorneys at law are most commonly trial lawyers, where they'll assist clients in pre-trial counsel, prepare legal documents and pleadings and even appear in court to represent their clients.

What is the job of a corporate attorney?

They are responsible for drafting legal documents, structuring transactions, negotiating business deals and ensuring agreement provisions, policies and legal compliance are unambiguous and consistent. Corporate attorneys are typically the legal professionals that ensure companies' operations are in compliance with related laws and regulations and that the implementation of certain business practices are within legal parameters and won't cause legal issues in the future.

What does a patent attorney do?

Primary duties: Patent attorneys deal with similar cases as IP lawyers and paralegals do, however, patent attorneys deal specifically with the processes and legal implications surrounding patenting intellectual property. Typically, patent attorneys help inventors prepare, file and submit their patent applications. If another individual or entity tries to infringe upon a patent attorney's client's patent, the attorney assists the client in raising a lawsuit against them.

What is a civil litigation paralegal?

Primary duties: Civil litigation paralegals are responsible for assisting practicing attorneys with court filings, pleadings and the preparation of legal documents for trials. Many of these kinds of law professionals work in private law firms but can have careers in the government sector. These paralegals will work under the supervision of a litigation attorney until they advance in their careers to become fully practicing attorneys.

What are the duties of a civil litigation attorney?

Litigation attorneys will meet with and collect information and documentation from clients, whether plaintiffs or defendants. They'll also work with clients to prepare court and trial documents, draft pleadings and enter pleas. In serious cases, litigation attorneys may also appear in court to testify on behalf of their clients.

What is the job of a bankruptcy paralegal?

Primary duties: Bankruptcy paralegals and attorneys frequently work in public agencies, corporations and lending institutions where they prepare and file proofs of claims on behalf of their clients. These paralegals must understand financial laws and regulations regarding bankruptcy claims and they provide direct support to practicing attorneys in the preparation of financial documents, claim applications and additional documents their clients will need in a bankruptcy case.

What is the job of a personal injury paralegal?

Primary duties: Personal injury paralegals work with practicing attorneys in much the same way as litigation paralegals. They'll typically help prepare legal documents for personal injury cases involving either the plaintiff or the defendant. Personal injury paralegals will work under the supervision of a lawyer, where they'll commonly interview clients, gather medical records, collect insurance information and documents from defendants and assist in organizing and preparing settlement demands.

How do personal injury lawyers get paid?

This means that they can only get paid if their client wins the case and receives a settlement. The lawyer takes a percentage of this settlement (usually 1/3 of the total settlement).

How much does a criminal defense lawyer make?

On average, a criminal defense lawyer will earn $80,000 a year, but can go as much as $174,000. 5. Civil Rights Lawyers. A civil rights lawyer deals in cases that involve discrimination based on things people cannot control (race, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, gender), human rights, and equality.

Why do tax lawyers work?

Tax lawyers work with private individuals and businesses to ensure their taxes are properly filed and any tax-related case they have is handled. Because taxes affect nearly everyone, tax lawyers have the option of working for a corporation or to have their own private practice to help multiple clients with their tax cases. Tax lawyers have a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge on tax laws, so it’s no surprise that many tax lawyers also have accounting licenses. Their knowledge in tax law allows clients to know all their options when making financial and legal decisions.

What do real estate lawyers do?

Real estate lawyers handle anything related to businesses dealing in residential, commercial, and office real estate. They look at the contracts and make sure their client is getting a fair deal with no loopholes that can be exploited. They make sure the rental agreements are fair. They make sure the deeds are in place and that those planning to buy, rent, or sell property are getting whatever is entitled to them. And given that the median home price in the United States is $200,000, it means real estate lawyers handle large assets in terms of property.

What does it mean when a real estate lawyer handles large assets?

They make sure the deeds are in place and that those planning to buy, rent, or sell property are getting whatever is entitled to them. And given that the median home price in the United States is $200,000, it means real estate lawyers handle large assets in terms of property.

What is the legal aspect of a corporation?

Every legal aspect a corporation needs (copyright, patenting an employee’s work, libel cases against the corporation, down to making sure advertising and marketing aren’t committing copyright infringement) lies in the hands of their corporate lawyers.

Why do people choose to become criminal defense lawyers?

This is not always the case though: some lawyers choose to become criminal defense lawyers because they want to make sure that those accused of certain crimes get justice that they still deserve unless they are proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

How much does a corporate lawyer make?

5. Corporate Lawyer – $98,822 annually. Corporate Layers make an average of $98,000 annually, but some of the more successful ones can make well into the triple digits in their salaries, while some make as low as $66,000. The average is $98,000 per year.

Why is there a high earning potential for intellectual property lawyers?

There is a high earning potential for intellectual property lawyers because there are times when the facts regarding intellectual property are hard to dissect and prove evidentially.

What is tax attorney?

This type of attorney represents an organization when they are dealing with government taxing agencies which include federal, state and local entities. Tax attorneys are responsible to their clients for the preparation of legal documents that involve liabilities and for developing plans that help in saving taxes.

What skills do you need to be a trial judge?

They must also possess impeccable verbal and writing skills as they spend a great deal of time divided among speaking and writing to others in matters that pertain to the trial. They must also maintain a sharp memory for remembering significant facts that may come in handy during a trial.

What is corporate lawyer?

A corporate lawyer provides clients with counsel on legal matters pertaining to a variety of different business transactions including the sale of businesses, acquisitions, and mergers.

What is the role of a trial attorney?

The trial attorney must have a strong and comprehensive knowledge of the law. They are also charged with the responsibility of staying abreast of current trends and changes to the law as they occur throughout the length of their careers.

Do tax attorneys have to stay on top of changes?

The tax structure within the United States is an ever-changing animal and tax attorneys are required to stay on top of all changes to the law as they are enacted and when they are proposed. They must know if and when proposed changes to the law are scheduled to take place.

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Criminal Law

  • Criminal defense lawyers represent individuals under investigation for a crime or who have been arrested for a crime. There is room for a huge difference in salaries depending on the type of criminal cases the attorney handles. The salary trajectory based on the type of criminal lawyer a…
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Bankruptcy Law

  • Attorneys who handle bankruptcy matters assist individuals and companies in filing for bankruptcy relief. They may also work with creditors to file claims in bankruptcy cases. The salaries of Bankruptcy Lawyers in the US range from $13,985 to $377,698, with a median salary of $68,292 . The middle 57% of Bankruptcy Lawyers make between $68,292 and $171,420, with th…
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Family Law

  • Family law is another area of law that is in high demand. It covers all matters related to divorce, including custody, property division, and domestic support. Family law also includes martial agreements and paternity questions. As of August 2022, the average Family Law Attorney salary is $85,716, but the range typically falls between $73,078 and $99,149. Salary ranges can vary wi…
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Immigration Law

  • When it comes to types of private practice lawyers that make the most compensation, immigration lawyers round up the bottom of the list, according to labor statistics. Immigration lawyers are people who work in the field of helping citizens obtain legal documentation of their current status in the United States. On average, a salary for an immigration lawyer rests around …
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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 cases where citizens are put under scrutiny for things they cannot control—the color of their skin, sexual orientation, etc. These lawyers enforce the freedoms of these people, and their right to exist as who they are. Where the…
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Personal Injury Lawyer

  • How much money personal injury lawyersmade in the United States during 2019 was $122,960 per year, according to the American Bar Association. Personal injury attorneys have a positive job outlook, but the future growth in wages is about the same as other comparable industries. Therefore, a personal injury lawyer can expect to earn somewhere between the low end of the av…
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Salaries For Other Types of Lawyers

  1. Tax Attorneys / Tax Lawyers– The average salary for Tax Lawyers with extensive tax laws knowledge is $88,863 an year.
  2. IP Lawyers, IP Attorneys– The average Intellectual Property Attorney salary is $174,562 as of August 27, 2022, but the range for intellectual property lawyers typically falls between $158,390 and $...
  1. Tax Attorneys / Tax Lawyers– The average salary for Tax Lawyers with extensive tax laws knowledge is $88,863 an year.
  2. IP Lawyers, IP Attorneys– The average Intellectual Property Attorney salary is $174,562 as of August 27, 2022, but the range for intellectual property lawyers typically falls between $158,390 and $...
  3. Medical Lawyers – Salaries as high as $155,331 and as low as $20,154, the majority of Medical Lawyersalaries currently range between $31,950 (25th percentile) to $83,563 (75th percentile) with top...
  4. Real Estate Lawyers– The average Real Estate Attorney salary in the United States is $152,863 as of August 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $133,300 and $169,371, includin…

Canada

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Average annual salary: $60,610 (CA$77,000) It takes about three to six years to become a licensed lawyer in Canada. You can enter law school after completing a Bachelor's degree or after gaining legal work experience. Law school in Canada is quite demanding. After completing the degree, you’ll have to obtain a Diploma of …
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UK

  • Average annual salary: $65,490 (ÂŁ48,410) You must complete a three-year university program to obtain a degree in law in the United Kingdom. Law schools in Great Britain receive a tremendous amount of applications every year. Candidates must pass the character and suitability assessment governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. You also need to pass the Solicitor…
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Germany

  • Average annual salary: $67,130 (€58,960) The legal profession in Germany is extremely fierce, with a barrage of young people fighting for positions in well-known firms and even inside the government. Consequently, only the best students in the country get admission to reputable programs. Candidates have to complete a two-year legal training program supervised by the Min…
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France

  • Average annual salary: $69,050 (€60,630) Lawyers in France are well paid, but they must complete a Bachelor’s degree in law (a three-year program), and a two-year Master's program. While education in France is subsidized, the workload is intense. Fluency in French is required if you wish to practice in the country. However, a lawyer in France can p...
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Ireland

  • Average annual salary: $79,320 (€69,660) Becoming a lawyer in Ireland is not easy, because few universities offer law degree programs, and hence competition is intense. It can take from three to six years before candidates sit for the licensing exam. Those with a Bachelor's degree can complete the law program in three years. After graduation from law school, you also need to tak…
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USA

  • Average annual salary: $87,030 There are many excellent legal programs in the U.S. It takes about seven years after high school to become a lawyer — four years to obtain a Bachelor's degree, followed by three years of law school. In some states, such as California, you can study online, but you must pass the three-part mini-bar exam to become a lawyer. After graduation from law scho…
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Luxembourg

  • Average annual salary: $80,860 (€71,000) This is a small nation, and its law education is controlled by the government. To become a lawyer, one must complete a Master's degree in law, which has to be conferred by the University of Luxembourg. This is followed by the CCDL (Cours ComplĂ©mentaires en Droit Luxembourgeois). The CCDL courses are offered every year starting i…
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Japan

  • Average annual salary: $116,680 (ÂĄ13,547,670) Japan has several excellent legal programs, but there is intense competition. After completion of law school, candidates must complete a Master's degree (law diploma) to prepare for the bar exam, which only has a pass rate of 20%. The bar exam takes part in two stages. After the bar exam, you must obtain legal training working as …
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Switzerland

  • Average annual salary: $143,230 (CHF133,000) Lawyers in Switzerland must complete a three- to five-year university program and a two-year Master's degree to sit for the bar exam. Some citizens who attend a government-approved law school in Switzerland are exempt from the Swiss bar exam. If you want to establish your private practice, you need to complete an apprenticeship tha…
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Hong Kong

  • Average annual salary: $147,580 (HK$1,150,000) Candidates must complete a Bachelor’s law degree from a reputable university followed by a post-graduate certificate in law. An apprenticeship or a trainee follows this with a licensed lawyer for two to three years before qualifying as a solicitor. In Hong Kong, the law profession is divided into barrister and solicitors, …
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