Are lawyers becoming oversaturated?

Asked by: Clementina Waters Jr.  |  Last update: June 15, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (53 votes)

Law School Myth 5: The job market for lawyers is oversaturated. While it is true that there are more law school graduates than there are jobs available in some markets, the job market for lawyers is actually quite strong overall.

Is there an oversupply of lawyers?

However, an oversupply of lawyers can saturate the job market, leading to stiffer competition, lower starting salaries, and fewer stable positions, especially for recent graduates. This surplus may also drive some legal professionals toward high-volume, lower-fee work, potentially impacting service quality.

Is the lawyer industry saturated?

In recent years the ratio of new law graduates to available legal jobs has been about two to one. Campos argues as a labor market becomes more saturated, wages for participants in that market will decline, all other things being equal.

Do lawyers have a high turnover rate?

With a cumulative average rate of 26 percent, for every four lawyers at your firm, one will swap out every year.

What percent of lawyers make $500,000?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for lawyers in 2022 was $135,740, with only the top 1% surpassing the $500,000 mark.

Is being a lawyer overrated...?

35 related questions found

How much do top 1% lawyers make?

— How do we know how much do lawyers make? Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year.

Can lawyers make 7 figures?

Corporate Lawyer (Partner)

Though that's far from pocket change, it's certainly not landing you in the earnings tier of a millionaire. That said, corporate lawyers generally stand to make the most and can pull in seven figures a year — if they make partner.

What profession has the highest turnover rate?

12 examples of high turnover jobs
  • Waiter. ...
  • Retail sales associate. ...
  • Technical support specialist. ...
  • Customer service representative. ...
  • HR specialist. ...
  • Accountant. ...
  • Nurse. ...
  • Software developer.

What type of lawyer is highest in demand?

Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law. Other quickly growing areas of law also include intellectual property law, data privacy and cybersecurity law, litigation, and labor and employment law.

Is being a lawyer still lucrative?

Lucrative career

They make a national average salary of $50,979 per year . Though you may not earn this income as a new lawyer, you can work your way toward this salary with enough hard work and experience. However, finding satisfaction in your specific field may be worth more than your annual salary.

Is being a lawyer draining?

Lawyer burnout, a common issue in the high-pressure legal field, should not be underestimated in terms of the damage it can do to your health. Prolonged stress and grueling hours take a toll on legal professionals, manifesting as exhaustion, impaired focus, irritability, and even depression.

Are lawyers being outsourced?

Growth of outsourcing

What we observed from the law firms that outsource was a remarkable 6.3% increase in their outsourcing spend per lawyer in 2022, nearly in line with the historic growth rate of 6.8% (fastest growth in recent memory) witnessed in the previous year.

Is the lawyer career growing or shrinking?

Job Outlook

Employment of lawyers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 35,600 openings for lawyers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Why do most lawyers quit?

Part and parcel of stress, many lawyers struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance due to the demanding nature of the profession. According to a survey conducted by the American Bar Association, more than half of all lawyers are dissatisfied with their work-life balance.

Is law an oversaturated field?

Law School Myth 5:

The job market for lawyers is oversaturated. While it is true that there are more law school graduates than there are jobs available in some markets, the job market for lawyers is actually quite strong overall.

What is the biggest complaint about lawyers?

According to the ABA, the most common attorney discipline complaints filed with the bar association involve:
  • Neglect.
  • Lack of communication.
  • Misrepresentation or dishonesty.
  • Scope of representation.
  • Fee disputes.

What is the least stressful lawyer field?

What type of lawyer is the least stressful? Real estate law, estate planning law, and intellectual property law are commonly cited as the least stressful types of law to practice. Unlike other practice areas, people's lives aren't on the line.

What type of lawyer is the richest?

Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field. Other lawyers are more motivated by getting justice for their clients than by collecting the largest possible paycheck.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

What job has the worst turnover rate?

High-Turnover-Rate Roles

According to the 2022 Praisidio Employee Turnover Rates Benchmark Data, the four highest turnover rates are found in the following job roles: Software engineer (non-security): 15.13% Marketing: 13.58% Sales: 12.46%

What industry has the lowest turnover?

By comparison, the 2022 survey reported an average of 24.7%, and the 2023 survey reported an average of 17.3%. The Retail and Wholesale industry in the US has the highest turnover rate at 24.9%. Meanwhile, the Chemicals industry enjoys one of the lowest turnover rates at just 9.1%.

Can lawyers make 300k a year?

More experienced lawyers, those with 11-15 years of experience, earn notably more. Of those in practice 11-15 years, 35% earn between $200,000-$249,999, and 18% reported earning $250,000-$299,999.

Do lawyers become millionaires?

Yes, as shown by the top-earning professionals in the legal field, it's possible to make over $1 million annually. However, you need to explore other ways to generate profits. While a lawyer's income is anything but small, your salary alone — especially if you're a non-partner — won't be enough to hit your target.

Do lawyers make 200k a year?

The median starting salary is $215,000 in 11 cities and geographic areas. They are Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles/Orange County, California; New York City; San Diego; San Francisco; Silicon Valley in California; and the Washington, D.C., area.