Are lawyers in demand in New York?

Asked by: Dr. Woodrow Herman MD  |  Last update: September 23, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (42 votes)

Secure in second place, New York boasts over 86,000 active vacancies for the profession. More impressively, with over 185,000 lawyers, it comfortably leads the charge state-wise for law employment. Furthermore, the state offers the highest average annual salary in the nation at a significant $164,168.

Is New York a good place to be a Lawyer?

New York

Lawyers enjoy one of the highest national salary averages in the Empire State. However, the generally high cost of living makes this number seem a bit smaller in context. The state's legal landscape is diverse, offering paths for specialization and career advancement that can be hard to find elsewhere.

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.

What type of Lawyer is in most 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.

Do lawyers make a lot of money in New York?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $152,131 and as low as $51,813, the majority of Lawyer salaries currently range between $87,100 (25th percentile) to $113,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $144,414 annually in New York.

Becoming a Lawyer in NYC

44 related questions found

Which field of lawyer makes most money?

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 difficult is law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

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.

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 type of lawyer is the most happy?

If you're practicing law for reasons of self-realization or altruism, you're likely to be happier than someone whose work motivation revolves around money or recognition.

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 type of law is the richest?

  • Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer. One reason IP lawyers are some of the highest-paid types of lawyers is that they require very specialized knowledge in distinct fields. ...
  • Tax Attorneys. Tax codes are complex. ...
  • Trial Attorney. ...
  • Medical Lawyer. ...
  • Patent Attorney. ...
  • Corporate Lawyer. ...
  • Real Estate Lawyer. ...
  • Family Lawyer.

Where do most lawyers live?

The state with the most lawyers is New York. With its significant concentration of law firms, corporate headquarters, and financial institutions, New York has the highest number of practicing attorneys in the U.S., particularly in cities like New York City.

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

Is NY law school hard to get into?

New York Law School is considered a Somewhat Competitive law school, which accepts only 55% of its applicants.

How much does a beginner lawyer make in New York?

As of Jan 20, 2025, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Attorney in New York City is $118,331 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $56.89 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,275/week or $9,860/month.

What is the hardest bar subject?

Many aspiring attorneys who have taken or are presently studying for the bar exam, however, appear to agree that the following three topics are the most difficult: Real Property. Contracts. Civil Procedure.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!

What is the easiest state to pass the bar?

Easiest Bar Exams to Pass for First-Time Takers:

Utah: Utah had the highest first-time pass rate in July 2023, with 94% of first-time takers passing the exam. (It's pass rate dipped to 69% in February 2024, but this is still higher than most other jurisdictions.)

Are lawyers becoming oversaturated?

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.

Who is the lowest paid lawyer?

We find that within the legal industry, certain segments are known to offer lower compensation. Typically, public defenders, legal aid attorneys, and lawyers working for nonprofit organizations are among the lowest paid.

What is the easiest law degree to get?

The easiest law degree to earn is a Master of Legal Studies degree. For more information about earning a Master of Legal Studies or for help finding a program, reach out to Learn.org today.

Is law school harder than med school?

Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.

How many hours a day do law students study?

All in all, however, law students typically spend around 30 – 40 hours per week studying. That may sound like a lot, but a good rule of thumb is that you should be studying at least two hours for every one hour of class time per week.

What is the hardest subject in a law degree?

Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are:
  • Constitutional Law.
  • Civil Procedure.
  • Contracts.
  • Federal Courts.
  • Federal Income Tax.
  • Administrative Law.
  • Partnership Tax.