How can a lawyer make $500,000 a year?

Asked by: John Corwin  |  Last update: July 13, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (37 votes)

Absolutely, that is an achievable income. It all depends on your area of expertise and the client you work for. Attorneys who specialize in corporate law or work closely with companies to battle litigation cases or draft terms and conditions can earn more than those who work with smaller clients.

Can you 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.

What is the highest annual salary of a lawyer?

Lawyers made a median salary of $145,760 in 2023. The best-paid 25% made $217,360 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $98,030.

Which field of lawyer makes the most money?

Highest Paid Lawyers Around the World
  • Corporate Lawyers. Corporate law relates to the regulation of corporations, including their formation, management, and winding up. ...
  • Tax Attorneys. ...
  • Trial Lawyers. ...
  • Intellectual Property Lawyers. ...
  • Medical Lawyers. ...
  • Real Estate Attorneys. ...
  • Immigration Lawyers. ...
  • Admiralty (Maritime) Lawyers.

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.

10 Signs You Should Become A Lawyer

16 related questions found

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)

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.

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.

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.

Can a lawyer become wealthy?

With the right combination of determination, strategic planning, and resilience, becoming a millionaire lawyer is an attainable goal.

How many lawyers make 500k a year?

— 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.

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.

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?

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.

What is the lowest paid profession?

11 lowest paying jobs
  • Care worker.
  • Shelf packer.
  • Play worker.
  • Nursery nurse.
  • Teaching assistant.
  • Cashier.
  • Dental nurse.
  • Cook.

What is the #1 best paying job?

Get Matched!
  • 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 is the highest demand job in 2025?

As we head into 2025, businesses are dialed in on hiring roles such as software engineer, software developer, and end-user support, as well roles centered around cloud, database management, and systems engineering and administration, according to Robert Half Technology's 2025 IT salary report.

What branch of law pays the most?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • 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.

Are there lawyers who make millions?

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.

Who is more rich a lawyer or a doctor?

According to the BLS, medical doctors which include both medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) earned an annual median salary of $208,000 per year in 2016. Lawyers, according to the BLS, had an annual median salary of $118,160 in 2016, a significant difference between them of $89,840.

How to make $500,000 as a lawyer?

How can a lawyer make 500k a year?
  1. Create an SEO for Lawyers Strategy.
  2. Build a Solid Law Firm Website.
  3. Write Engaging Attorney Content.
  4. Start a Lawyer PPC Campaign.
  5. Register Your Law Firm in Relevant Listings and Directories.
  6. Engage in Reputation Management for Lawyers.

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.

What jobs can you make 700K a year?

52 700K Salary Jobs
  • Interventional Cardiology - $700K Guarantee - Partnership Track - Rocky Mountain Corridor. ...
  • Anesthesiology Opportunity in Louisiana Making $700k-$800K. ...
  • Commercial Insurance Account Manager. ...
  • EP - Challapalli Cardiology. ...
  • Sales Executive (Remote) ...
  • Director of Development.