Are lawyers well paid in USA?
Asked by: Salma Schmitt | Last update: September 1, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (50 votes)
Lawyers in the US earn a median annual wage of nearly $136,000. Although they are not among the twenty highest-paying occupations, they still earn well above the 2022 median income of $60,070. In May 2022, the median annual wage for lawyers was $135,740.
Do lawyers make good money in the US?
The decision to become an attorney does pay off for many people. The average lawyer salary in the United States is $148910 at last count, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Attorneys also rank on Glassdoor's most recent list of the highest-paying jobs in the United States.
Can a lawyer make $500,000 a year?
The reality is that most lawyers earn significantly less than half a million dollars each year. 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 gets paid the most in us?
Patent Attorney Salary
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.
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.
Why some lawyers make $$$$$ ... and others don't
Can lawyers make 300k a year?
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.
What jobs pay 7 figures?
- Cranberry Farm Manager. New. ...
- Financial Professional. New. ...
- Financial Advisor - Training & Licensing Provided. Northwestern Mutual3.7. ...
- Entry Level Sales Representative | Become a Sales Rockstar! New. ...
- Agent. New York Life3.6. ...
- Strengthen your profile. ...
- Night Auditor. ...
- Automotive Sales Professional.
What is the richest type of lawyer?
- Patent attorney: $180,000.
- Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
- Trial lawyer: $134,000.
- Tax attorney: $122,000.
- Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
- Medical lawyer: $113,000.
- Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
- Family lawyer: $93,000.
What is the highest paying job in the world?
Topping the list, being a CEO gets you the highest paying job in the world, no matter where you work. A CEO is the highest-ranked position in any organisation's structure. Irrespective of the company's size, a CEO handles all its day-to-day corporate affairs, manages resources and handles all managerial processes.
What field of law is most in demand?
- Intellectual property law. ...
- Family law. ...
- Immigration & naturalization law. ...
- Real estate law. ...
- Contract management. ...
- Compliance. ...
- Labor and employment. ...
- Corporate transactions. Also known as mergers and acquisitions, or M&A, this work navigates the buying and selling of companies and their assets.
How rich is the average lawyer?
In general, the five highest-paying states for lawyers are as follows: California ($201,530) Massachusetts ($196,230) New York ($188,900)
Is 700k a good salary?
Earning $700,000 a year would put your household in the top 1% nationwide — and well above the middle class — and in any state in the South or Midwest. But that still won't cut it in seven states. The Northeast dominates the rankings, with five of the 10 states with the highest 1% thresholds lying in this region.
What type of lawyer is best paid?
- Civil litigation attorney. ...
- Real estate attorney. ...
- Intellectual property attorney. ...
- Bankruptcy lawyer. ...
- Family lawyer. ...
- Tax attorney. ...
- Corporate attorney. ...
- Patent attorney.
Is it hard to be a lawyer in USA?
Entering the legal profession is no small task, so the choice to become a lawyer should not be made lightly, experts say. Getting a license to practice law in the U.S. generally requires years of strenuous effort and often involves acquiring significant student loan debt to cover the cost of law school.
How many hours do lawyers work?
Although most lawyers have a regular 40-hour week, a significant percentage of them work more frequently. The average weekly work hours for various types of lawyers are: Lawyers working for large firms: 66 hours per week. Lawyers working for small and medium-sized firms: 42-54 hours per week.
What country pays lawyers the most?
The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.
What is the lowest paid profession?
- Care worker.
- Shelf packer.
- Play worker.
- Nursery nurse.
- Teaching assistant.
- Cashier.
- Dental nurse.
- Cook.
What is the #1 best paying job?
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist. #1 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
- Psychiatrist. #2 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
- Emergency Medicine Physician. #3 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
- Orthodontist. #4 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
- Anesthesiologist. #5 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. #6 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
- Radiologist. ...
- Pilot.
What job makes the most money without a degree?
- Aircraft Mechanic. #1 in Highest-Paying Jobs Without A Degree. ...
- Patrol Officer. #2 in Highest-Paying Jobs Without A Degree. ...
- Executive Assistant. ...
- Flight Attendant. ...
- Construction and Building Inspector. ...
- Sales Representative. ...
- Structural Iron and Steelworker. ...
- Wind Turbine Technician.
What branch of law pays the most?
As we have discussed earlier, corporate lawyers, tax attorneys, and intellectual property lawyers are among those who receive the highest salary. These fields require specialized knowledge and skills, but they are among the most financially rewarding.
Can a lawyer be rich?
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the top-paying states for lawyers are: District of Columbia — $226,510 annual mean wage. California — $201,530 annual mean wage. Massachusetts — $196,230 annual mean wage.
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 jobs pay $100,000 a week?
- Canvass Supervisor - 100k+ DaBella. ...
- Remote Solar Empowerment Consultant. ...
- Solar Consultant. ...
- Phone Sales for Online Health & Wellness Supplement Brands - (Hot leads only) ...
- Solar Sales Consultant. ...
- Strengthen your profile. ...
- Solar Energy Consultant. ...
- In-Home Sales - 1099 Contract - Walk In Tubs & Showers.
What jobs make $700 000 a year?
- Orthopedic Surgeon - Private Practice in East Texas. ...
- Dentist [#3490] ...
- $700k Base Urology Physician in Illinois. ...
- Neurology Opportunity - Louisiana. ...
- Urology Opportunity in Buffalo, NY- Ownership Opportunity Available. ...
- Hematology Oncologist- Discover Grand Forks North Dakota.