How much does a top New York lawyer make?

Asked by: Jaydon Emard  |  Last update: August 1, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (19 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

What I Spent v. What I Make | Lawyer Edition | How Much Money Do Lawyers Really Make? #lawschool

33 related questions found

Do top lawyers make millions?

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 300k?

Lawyer salaries by state

Lawyers in these states earn the highest median salaries: California ($175,680) New York ($172,880) Massachusetts ($161,530)

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.

How much does Harvey Specter make?

Financial Evaluation: Harvey starts at a high earning point of $1,000,000 - $1,500,000 as a senior partner. His move to managing partner could see him earning up to $2,500,000. Financial Advice: Harvey's already at the pinnacle of his career; now would be a good time to focus on investments and wealth management.

Can I become a millionaire as a lawyer?

With the right combination of determination, strategic planning, and resilience, becoming a millionaire lawyer is an attainable goal. Pursue your career with ambition and the understanding that your financial success is deeply intertwined with your professional development and dedication to your specialty.

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.

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.

Which type of lawyer gets paid the most?

  • 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.

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 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 NYU Law elite?

While NYU Law is highly selective in admissions, many students find the academic rigor exceeds even their abilities. For those falling in the bottom half of their class, top law firm jobs or clerkships may be out of reach due to competitive hiring standards.

How much does a Harvard Lawyer make in New York?

The estimated total pay range for a Lawyer at Harvard University is $118K–$219K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay.

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.

Who is the highest paid lawyer in New York?

Topping the list is Blackstone chief legal officer John Finley, who received $22.2 million total compensation in 2022. Following just behind is KKR's Kathryn “Katie” King Sudol, who brought home $18.6 million in total compensation.

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.

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

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.

Which state pays lawyers the most?

Best-Paying States for Lawyers

The states and districts that pay Lawyers the highest mean salary are District of Columbia ($238,990), California ($213,860), Delaware ($212,360), New York ($208,480), and Connecticut ($195,730). How Much Do Lawyers Make in Your City? See current salary offers for jobs in your field.

How many hours do lawyers work?

Although most lawyers have a regular 40-hour week, a significant percentage of them work more frequently. The average weekly work hours for various types of lawyers are: Lawyers working for large firms: 66 hours per week. Lawyers working for small and medium-sized firms: 42-54 hours per week.