How much does an LLM earn in the US?
Asked by: Prof. Easton Walsh | Last update: November 5, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (68 votes)
How much does a Llm make? As of Jan 21, 2025, the average annual pay for the Llm jobs category in the United States is $142,663 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $68.59 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,743/week or $11,888/month.
Is LLM worth it in the USA?
However, a lot of employers, the vast majority in fact, simply don't give the degrees much weight. The reason has to do with the practice of law vs. the study of law. In short, an LLM doesn't offer much of anything that you can't just pick up from day-to-day legal practice.
What is the salary of LLM in Harvard?
Employees who graduate from Harvard Law School earn an average of ₹50.0lakhs, mostly ranging from ₹50.0lakhs per year to ₹50.0lakhs per year based on 1 profiles. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹50.0lakhs per year.
Can you get a job in US with an LLM?
Most graduates work in private practice at law firms around the world, including many of the leading law firms globally. Each year, approximately 15 - 25% of Foreign-Trained LLM students report obtaining positions in the US; both short-term and long-term and in the private and public sector.
What is the highest salary in LLM?
Employees who know Llm earn an average of ₹37.4lakhs, mostly ranging from ₹22.6lakhs per year to ₹218.4lakhs per year based on 42 profiles. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹49.0lakhs per year.
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Is an LLM prestigious?
Holding an LLM from a top university could significantly lift your earning potential as well as your chances of getting that fabulous promotion or job offer from a top firm once you are more settled.
Is an LLM higher than a JD?
An LLM takes a lawyer deeper, to gain "advanced knowledge in a specific area of law for career advancement, upward mobility, and/or expanded practice opportunities." The primary difference in the curriculum is that a JD program covers general law concepts; the LLM is focused on a specific area of expertise.
What is the starting salary for an LLM in the US?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $182,000 and as low as $85,000, the majority of salaries within the Llm jobs category currently range between $126,000 (25th percentile) to $157,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $174,000 annually across the United States.
Can you be a lawyer with just an LLM?
A JD or an LLM can prepare you for a legal career, but you can't become a licensed lawyer without a JD degree. Also, a JD degree program takes longer and has a broader scope than an LLM program. What really determines if a JD or an LLM is the right one for you are your long-term career goals.
How long does LLM take in USA?
It has a duration of 1-2 years, and many reputed US universities and colleges, including the University of Chicago, Harvard Law School, Stanford University, and Yale University offer it.
What is a good GPA for LLM?
GPA Requirements by the program of study: J.D. Students must have a 2.23 by the end of their first year, and a 2.33 every year after the first year. LLM must have a GPA of 2.23. M.T. and MLS must have a 2.5 by the end of their first year, and a 3.0 every year after the first year.
Which law degree pays the most?
- 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.
Is Harvard Law School worth the debt?
Harvard Law School has the lowest debt-to-earnings ratio of all U.S. law schools, according to a new study by The HEA Group and Student Defense. Four years after graduation, Harvard Law graduates had a median annual salary of $233,589 and a median debt of $93,235, for a debt-to-income ratio of 39.9%.
Which LLM is most in demand?
- Master of laws in Administrative Law Studies.
- Master of laws in National Law Studies.
- Master of laws in Economic Law Studies.
- Master of laws in Jurisprudence.
- Master of laws in Human Rights Law Studies.
- Master of laws in Dispute Resolution Studies.
How hard is an LLM?
In some ways, an LLM may be harder because of its specialized curriculum and thesis requirements. However, the JD is often believed to be harder because it takes longer to complete and is the first time students are introduced to legal theories and the rigorous demands of law school.
Is LLM a terminal degree?
An LL. M. is known as a terminal degree, which means that it is the highest level or most advanced degree in the study of law.
Can you sit for the bar with an LLM?
In some states, including New York, California, and Texas, the completion of an LL. M. degree along with certain other criteria will allow attorneys with a non-U.S. law degree to sit for the bar exam.
Do you need an LSAT for an LLM?
Most LLM programs require you to have already obtained a Juris Doctor or international equivalent in order to enroll. Do you need to submit LSAT scores to enroll in an LLM program? LLM programs vary, but most do not require you to submit LSAT scores.
Can you get a JD after LLM?
You must apply for the JD degree within 3 years of completing your LLM program to be eligible. Please note that students in the online LLM, MITLE, MDR, or MSL programs are not eligible to apply as transfer students. We will grant up to 30 credit units from your LLM degree toward the 88-unit minimum for the JD degree.
What is the acceptance rate for LLM?
The median acceptance rate for law schools in the United States is 41-42%, with some institutions boasting acceptance rates surpassing 65%. Gaining admission to the top 15 law schools, such as Stanford and Yale, is more challenging, as they have an average acceptance rate of 14%.
Do law firms pay for law school?
Many firms also offer tuition reimbursement programs, with the expectation that the funded paralegals will become their next practicing attorneys after graduation. However, not all firms will have the capacity to fund your studies.
How valuable is an LLM?
LLM graduates can work in law enforcement, big tech, social care, finance, media, and education. Others have found fulfilling roles at the transnational organizations working towards making the world a better place for everyone, such as the United Nations or UNICEF.
How long does an LLM degree take?
The Master of Laws (LL. M.) degree is an advanced, one-year graduate program in which students have the flexibility to enroll in one of several distinct specializations or customize their studies in pursuit of their unique professional goals. Designed for those who already hold a J.D. or equivalent law degree, the LL.
What is an LLM equivalent to?
LLM (often written as LL. M.) stands for Legum Magister, which is Latin for Master of Laws. An LLM is a one year degree program which you can pursue after receiving a JD (or international equivalent).
What is above an LLM?
A Doctor of Juridical Science degree is considered the highest level of a law degree and is designed for professionals who are looking to gain an advanced legal education after earning their JD and LLM.