How much does a fresh lawyer earn in USA?

Asked by: Amaya Huel  |  Last update: December 31, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (21 votes)

The average lawyer salary in the USA is $110,165 per year or $52.96 per hour. Entry level positions start at $87,946 per year while most experienced workers make up to $170,294 per year.

What is the starting salary for a Lawyer in the US?

According to the NALP, the median salary for a first-year associate at a law firm of 100 lawyers or fewer was $155,000 in 2023 — more than double that of entry-level lawyers in public service jobs. And at some large law firms, starting salaries for first-year associates have leaped to $225,000.

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.

Do lawyers make 100k a year?

In general, the five highest-paying states for lawyers are as follows: California ($201,530) Massachusetts ($196,230) New York ($188,900)

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.

Big Law's Big Paychecks: Partner Compensation, Explained

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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.

Who is the highest paid lawyer in the 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.

Can lawyers be millionaire?

Regions that are financial and business hubs, like New York, California, and Washington D.C., boast a significant portion of the lawyer millionaire demographic.

Can lawyers make 400k?

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.

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.

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 many millionaires are lawyers?

My math says 0.3%-0.35%. There are 4100 biglaw attorneys who rake in a million a year or more, which is 0.31% of all attorneys; the 100 highest paid GCs average $2.7 million per year, and there are easily just as many solo or small-firm attorneys who also make that much.

Are lawyers well paid in USA?

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.

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.

Which 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.

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.

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.

Are lawyers rich in the UK?

Salaries for newly qualified lawyers across the rest of the UK are in the region of £40,000 to £70,000. If you become the partner of a firm you can expect a six-figure salary in a small, regional firm and a seven-figure salary in Magic Circle and USA-based firms.

Are lawyers richer than doctors?

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.

What type of lawyer is the highest paid?

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.

Who is the richest person with a law degree?

The Top 10 Richest Lawyers in America
  • #9 – William Barr | $50 Million. ...
  • #8 – Roy Black | $65 Million. ...
  • #7 – John Branca | $100 Million. ...
  • #6 – Robert Shapiro | $120 Million. ...
  • #5 – Willie E. ...
  • #3 – Bill Neukom | $850 Million. ...
  • #2 – Jerry Reinsdorf | $1.8 Billion. ...
  • #1 – Peter Angelos | $2 Billion.

Is lawyer a good profession in USA?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.2% employment growth for lawyers between 2023 and 2033. In that period, an estimated 44,200 jobs should open up. A lawyer advises and represents individuals or organizations in legal matters.