How much do the best lawyers in New York make?

Asked by: Valentin Wisoky IV  |  Last update: November 8, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (23 votes)

NYC Salaries Vs. Mid-level and experienced NYC corporate lawyers can earn between $160,000 and $320,000, surpassing national averages by a substantial margin. Top-tier NYC firms also offer performance-based bonuses, enhancing total compensation beyond base salaries.

How much do top 1% lawyers make?

— 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.

Do lawyers make 200k a year?

The median starting salary is $215,000 in 11 cities and geographic areas. They are Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles/Orange County, California; New York City; San Diego; San Francisco; Silicon Valley in California; and the Washington, D.C., area.

How much does a Harvard Lawyer make in NYC?

How much does a Lawyer make at Harvard University in New York? The estimated average pay for Lawyer at this company in New York is $84,581 per year, which is 17% above the national average.

Who is the highest paid Lawyer in us?

Peter Angelos | $2 Billion

The wealthiest lawyer in North America, Peter Angelos earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore and gained prominence in asbestos litigation, securing over $100 million from a single case.

Why some lawyers make $$$$$ ... and others don't

28 related questions found

How much do Ivy League lawyers make?

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, $261,434. Cornell Law School, $249,283. Harvard Law School, $233,589. Yale Law School, $204,668.

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.

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.

Do top lawyers make millions?

How Much Do Top Lawyers Make? According to ALM Global's 2023 Global 100 Ranked by Profits Per Equity Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (the highest-paid lawyers in the United States) pays their equity partners a whopping $7.52 million 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.

Which law pays the most?

What are the highest-paid types of lawyers? The highest-paid lawyers typically specialize in fields such as corporate law, intellectual property, tax law, medical malpractice, and entertainment law. These areas command higher salaries due to the complexity, demand, and financial stakes involved.

How hard is law school?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

How much do the top 1% of lawyers make?

The data source was compiled from the US Department of Labor. The top 10% of attorneys in America make over $208,000, and the top 1% make well over $500,000 per year.

How long is law school in NY?

Law school is typically a three-year program, and most law schools require full-time attendance. One can attend any law school in the United States and apply to practice in NYS, as long as the law school is approved by the American Bar Association, also known as the ABA.

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
  • Hematology Oncology Physician in North Carolina. ...
  • Interventional Cardiology Opening in California - 800K First Year. ...
  • Interventional Cardiology - San Luis Obispo, California. ...
  • Ophthalmology Opportunity in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. ...
  • Obstetrics Gynecology. ...
  • Strengthen your profile.

Which lawyer is the highest paid?

Highest Paid Lawyers in India: A Detailed Look at India's Elite Legal Professionals
  • Fali S. Nariman. ...
  • Harish Salve. Fee per appearance: ₹12-15 lakh. ...
  • Mukul Rohatgi. Fee per appearance: ₹10-12 lakh. ...
  • Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Fee per appearance: ₹8-10 lakh. ...
  • Kapil Sibal. Fee per appearance: ₹8-10 lakh. ...
  • Arvind Datar. ...
  • P. ...
  • Gopal Subramanium.

What is a good salary in 2024?

The findings are eye-opening: to lead a comfortable life in a major U.S. city, an individual needs to earn, on average, an annual pre-tax salary of $96,500. This takes into account necessities, debt obligations, and investments for the future.

How much does a corporate lawyer earn in New York?

As of Jan 9, 2025, the average annual pay for a Corporate Lawyer in New York City is $158,293 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $76.10 an hour. This is the equivalent of $3,044/week or $13,191/month.

Which law degree 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.

How long is Harvard Law School?

The J.D. (Juris Doctor) at Harvard Law School is a three-year, full-time, in-person rigorous program of study that first gives students the intellectual foundations for legal study and practice, and then gives students the opportunity to focus their studies on areas of particular interest through advanced classes, ...