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Lawyer salary in USA can range widely depending on factors like specialisation, experience, and location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for lawyers in 2023 is USD 126,930, with top earners making over USD 208,000. Corporate, IP, and trial lawyers are among the highest-paid, often exceeding USD 250,000 annually. This guide provides an in-depth look at lawyer salaries across various fields and regions in 2024. Also, you get to know the top companies for lawyers in USA, which will help you reach out to potential employers with high pay scales.
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How Much Does a Lawyer Make in USA?
Lawyer salaries in the USA can differ greatly depending on experience, industry, and location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2023, the median annual salary for lawyers is USD 126,930, with the top 10% earning over USD 208,000 and the bottom 10% making around USD 61,400.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lawyer salary in USA is as follows, as per the May 2023 data:
| Particular | Wages |
| Median Annual Wages | USD 126,930 |
| Bottom 10% | USD 61,400 |
| Top 10% | USD 208,000+ |
Comparison of Lawyer Salary in USA By Experience
Experience plays an important role in determining a lawyer’s salary in USA. Here’s a general progression of Lawyer Salary in USA.
| Level | Wages |
| Entry-Level (0-3 years) | USD 70,000 – USD 190,000+ |
| Mid-Level (4-9 years) | USD 100,000 – USD 250,000+ |
| Senior (10+ years) | USD 150,000 – USD 300,000+ |
| Partners | USD 1,000,000+ |
Highest Paying Lawyer Jobs in USA 2024
As of 2024, certain legal specialties command top salaries due to their complexity, demand, and the high stakes involved. Here are some of the highest-paying lawyer jobs in the USA:
| Job | Salary | Description |
| Corporate Lawyers | USD 170,000 – USD 280,000+ | Corporate lawyers handle legal affairs for large companies, including mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property rights, and compliance issues. Top corporate lawyers, especially those in leadership positions at major firms, can earn well over USD 1 million annually. |
| Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyers | USD 155,000 – USD 265,000+ | With the growing importance of technology and innovation, IP lawyers who specialise in patents, trademarks, and copyrights are in high demand. Those working with major tech companies or in specialised IP firms often earn at the higher end of this range. |
| Trial Lawyers | USD 150,000 – USD 250,000+ | Experienced trial lawyers, particularly those handling high-profile cases or working in lucrative areas like corporate litigation, can earn substantial salaries. Top trial lawyers can earn millions per year, especially if they win big cases. |
| Tax Attorneys | USD 145,000 – USD 240,000+ | Tax law is complex and ever-changing, making experienced tax attorneys valuable. Those working for major accounting firms or in specialized tax practices often earn the highest salaries in this field. |
| Real Estate Attorneys | USD 130,000 – USD 220,000+ | In areas with hot real estate markets, experienced real estate attorneys can command high salaries, especially those dealing with commercial real estate or complex development projects. |
| Healthcare Lawyers | USD 140,000 – USD 230,000+ | With ongoing changes in healthcare regulations, lawyers specialising in health law are increasingly in demand. Those working for major healthcare companies or specialised health law firms tend to earn the most. |
| Environmental Lawyers | USD 120,000 – USD 200,000+ | As environmental concerns become more prominent, lawyers specialising in environmental law, especially those working with large corporations on compliance issues, can earn substantial salaries. |
| Bankruptcy Lawyers | USD 130,000 – USD 220,000+ | Experienced bankruptcy lawyers, particularly those handling complex corporate bankruptcies, can earn high salaries, especially in times of economic uncertainty. |
Lawyer Salary in USA By Companies
Salaries can vary significantly between companies, especially when comparing large law firms to smaller practices or corporate legal departments. Here are some examples:
| Companies | Example | Average Salaries |
| Big Law Firms | Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, etc. | – First-year associates: USD 190,000 – USD 205,000 – Senior associates: USD 300,000 – USD 500,000+ |
| Mid-size Law Firms | arella Braun + Martel LLP, Hodgson Russ LLP, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, Miller Nash LLP, etc. | – First-year associates: USD 100,000 – USD 160,000 – Senior associates: USD 150,000 – USD 250,000+ |
| Corporate Legal Departments | Google, Apple, etc | – Entry-level: USD 120,000 – USD 180,000 – Senior counsel: USD 200,000 – USD 350,000+ |
| Government Agencies | Department of Justice | -Entry-level: USD 55,000 – USD 90,000 – Senior positions: USD 130,000 – USD 180,000+ |
Highest Paying Cities for Lawyer Jobs in USA
Lawyer salaries can vary significantly based on location. Here are some of the highest-paying cities for lawyers in USA:
| Cities | Average Salary Per Year |
| San Jose, CA | USD 218,420 (average) |
| San Francisco, CA | USD 208,470 |
| Washington, D.C. | USD 197,100 |
| New York, NY | USD 193,570 |
| Los Angeles, CA | USD 191,720 |
Comparison of Lawyer Salary in USA By Education
Lawyers with advanced degrees, such as an LL.M. or a J.S.D., may command higher salaries than those with only a J.D. Additionally, graduating from a prestigious law school can also give lawyers a salary advantage.
| Law Schools | Big Law starting salary | Median private sector starting salary |
| Top-tier Law Schools (e.g., Harvard, Yale, Stanford) | USD 190,000 – USD 205,000 per year | USD 180,000+ per year |
| Mid-tier Law Schools | USD 180,000 – USD 190,000 per year | USD 100,000 – USD 160,000 per year |
| Lower-ranked Law Schools | – | USD 50,000 – USD 100,000 per year |
Lawyer Salary in USA By Industry
The salary of a Lawyer might be different from industry to industry. Here is a list of Lawyer salaries in USA based on the industry.
| Industries | Average Salaries (per year) |
| Private Practice | – Big law firms: USD 190,000 – USD 1,000,000+ – Small/Mid-size firms: USD 60,000 – USD 250,000+ |
| Corporate Sector | – In-house counsel: USD 100,000 – USD 300,000+ – Chief Legal Officer: USD 200,000 – USD 1,000,000+ |
| Government | – Federal: USD 55,000 – USD 180,000+ – State/Local: USD 50,000 – USD 150,000+ |
| Non-profit | – USD 50,000 – USD 120,000+ |
| Academia | – Law Professor: USD 80,000 – USD 200,000+ |
FAQs
The average annual salary for lawyers in the United States is approximately USD 126,930. However, this figure can vary significantly depending on factors such as experience, specialization, geographic location, and firm size.
The average salary for a lawyer with an LLB in the USA is approximately USD 126,930 per year. However, this figure can vary significantly depending on experience, specialisation, geographic location, and firm size.
The average annual salary of a Chartered Accountant (CA) in India is significantly higher than that of a lawyer. According to recent data, CAs typically earn around INR 11.1 lakh per year, while lawyers may earn an average of INR 4.8 lakh per year.
The following lawyers get a handsome salary package in USA:
– Patent attorney: USD 180,000
– Intellectual property (IP) attorney: USD 162,000
– Trial lawyer: USD 134,000
– Tax attorney: USD 122,000
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