How many lawyers are unemployed in us?

Asked by: Titus Reynolds  |  Last update: October 24, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (20 votes)

Unemployment rates for lawyers and paralegals rose from 0.9% to 1% and 2.5% to 3.4%, respectively, while the rate more than doubled for men (from 0.4% to 1.1%) and nearly doubled for women (from 1.8% to 3%). All rates for legal workers were still lower than the national unemployment rate of 3.8% in the first quarter.

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 there a shortage of lawyers in us?

One of the primary reasons for California's lawyer shortage may be the decline in law school enrollments. Compared to the peak enrollment year of 2010, enrollments in JD programs in 2023 were down over 20%. The high cost of legal education and the burden of student debt are likely detering many potential candidates.

Is it hard for lawyers to find a job?

It is important to understand just how much you are up against when applying for law firms positions—it is not easy to get positions. Even the most highly qualified attorneys will often have a difficult time getting a position.

What percentage of lawyers get jobs?

A recent ABA report showed employment for 85.6% of 2023 law school graduates compared to 84.6% of graduates in the previous year.

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27 related questions found

Are lawyers in demand in the USA?

According to data by AccessLex, most lawyers (98%) secured employment in their first year as J.D graduates in 2022. This trend will likely continue as the BLS projects an average of 35,600 new job openings for lawyers every year from 2023 to 2033.

Is becoming a lawyer harder than a doctor?

Becoming a doctor would seen to be more difficult than becoming a lawyer, using educational requirements, length of studies, and financial considerations as the metrics.

Are lawyers in high demand right now?

Are Lawyers in Demand? Yes, lawyers in all sectors of law are in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for lawyers is expected to grow 8% from the years 2022 to 2032. This translates to just over 39,000 job openings for lawyers each year in this time frame.

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 percentage of lawyers quit?

The 2023 findings from 128 participating firms in the U.S. and Canada, reflect data from 5,236 associate hires and 3,875 associate departures. The findings also revealed an overall 2023 associate attrition rate of 18%, continuing the decline from 2022's 20% and 2021's historically high 26%.

Is it easy to get a job as a lawyer in USA?

Unlike many other countries, practicing law in the US requires an advanced JD or similar degree (so, three years of schooling on top of a four-year bachelor's degree in the USA). Students who know they want to pursue a law career in the future will often study pre-law in undergrad.

Which state needs the most lawyers?

Top 10 U.S. States with the Highest Interest in Lawyers in 2024
  • North Carolina. North Carolina stands strong at number 1 with 252.87 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. ...
  • Colorado. ...
  • Nevada. ...
  • Connecticut. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • South Carolina. ...
  • Georgia. ...
  • Oregon.

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)

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 field of law is most in demand?

Which Legal Fields Are 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.

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 law a saturated 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.

Is law school or dental school harder?

Answer: If you are choosing between dental or law school and wondering how much they vary in terms of difficulty, then neither one will be a clear winner. Both types of schooling, and really the professions themselves, require a lot of commitment and dedication to graduate from and excel at once you begin your career.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

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.

What is the hardest thing about becoming a lawyer?

Lawyers often find themselves in conflict, negotiating and arguing cases, defending clients' rights, prosecuting wrongdoing, and more. This constant exposure to conflict can take a psychological toll and contribute to heightened levels of stress and anxiety.

How many lawyers quit law?

In 2021, that number had jumped to a jaw-dropping 27%. Using the previous 16% attrition rate, it was calculated that for every 20 lawyers hired, 15 would leave within six years.

What is a lawyer's salary in 2024?

Lawyers have the highest average income in the following states. District of Columbia. $197,100. California. $179,470.

What type of attorney 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.