Can I make six figures as a lawyer?

Asked by: Ms. Theresia Schneider  |  Last update: January 22, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (28 votes)

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 you make 6 figures as a lawyer?

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.

Can I make $500,000 as a lawyer?

Yes. These days, BigLaw starts at about $215k plus bonus for newly-hired attorneys, and goes to $415k plus bonus (often enough to take one over $500k) for senior associates on the verge of making partner. Therefore, people who make it to this level and beyond generally bring home more than $500k/yr.

Can you make $200,000 as a lawyer?

The area you live in can also affect your pay, as some states have lawyers that make an average pay below $100,000 and other areas go well up above $200,000 for average pay.

What is the highest paid type of lawyer?

  • 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.

I QUIT MY SIX FIGURE BIG LAW JOB

40 related questions found

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 is the richest part of law?

Some areas of law have emerged as particularly lucrative due to their complexity, the high stakes involved, or the specialized knowledge required.
  • Patent Attorneys. ...
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Attorneys. ...
  • Trial Lawyers. ...
  • Tax Attorneys. ...
  • Corporate Lawyers.

How to make 500k a year?

13 jobs that can pay over $500k a year
  1. Actor.
  2. Author.
  3. Accountant.
  4. Insurance agent.
  5. Investment banker.
  6. Professional athlete.
  7. Entrepreneur.
  8. Hedge fund manager.

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.

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)

What type of lawyer is best paid?

11 of the highest-paying lawyers
  • Civil litigation attorney. ...
  • Real estate attorney. ...
  • Intellectual property attorney. ...
  • Bankruptcy lawyer. ...
  • Family lawyer. ...
  • Tax attorney. ...
  • Corporate attorney. ...
  • Patent attorney.

Do lawyers make good CEOs?

We found that CEOs with legal training were associated with higher firm value, but only in a subset of firms, specifically, in high-growth firms and firms with large amounts of litigation. Outside of this setting, however, the effect of CEOs with legal training on firm value was negative.

Can corporate lawyers make 7 figures?

That said, corporate lawyers generally stand to make the most and can pull in seven figures a year — if they make partner. For example, according to ALM Global's 2023 Global 100 Ranked by Profits Per Equity Partner, the global law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP pays their equity partners $7.52 million annually.

Is the legal profession 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.

Do lawyers need a lot of math?

One of the first questions that come up in Google relating to becoming a lawyer is the question “Do lawyers need to be good at maths?” The answer to this question is actually quite simple; no, you don't need to be good at mathematics. You do, however, need excellent analytical skills.

How many times fail bar exam?

You're in luck! There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California.

Which is harder, CPA or MCAT?

The CPA exam is widely regarded as the most challenging professional examination for a few reasons. Its length, number of topics, and technical details covered typically rank it harder than the BAR and MCAT.

What is the hardest exam in the world?

The most difficult exam in the world is Gaokao Exam in China. Gaokao is an annual standardised test in China that is mandatory for admission to all of the country's Higher Educational Institutes. This article will be helpful for you, if you are exploring information about the hardest exam in the world.

What job pays $1 million a year?

Roles in investment banking, hedge funds and private equity not only promise substantial financial rewards, but also present opportunities for career advancement in a dynamic industry. Finance jobs are highly competitive, with employers actively seeking talent from top-tier educational institutions.

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 jobs pay $800,000 a year?

800k salary jobs
  • Anesthesiologists- Explore Exciting Opportunities with a Premier Anesthesia Group in Sonoma County. ...
  • Interventional Cardiology - San Luis Obispo, California. ...
  • Hematology Oncology Position in the Midwest - 700,000 Guarantee. ...
  • Urology Physician Opportunity in Arkansas.

Are lawyers or bankers richer?

On Wall Street, Lawyers Make More Than Bankers Now - WSJ.

What is the highest paying job in the world?

1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 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.

Who is the richest judge in the world?

Judy Sheindlin, better known as Judge Judy, has a net worth of $290 million up from $250 million in 2015.