How much does the average lawyer work per week?

Asked by: Alexandre Keeling  |  Last update: November 12, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (71 votes)

While it can differ from firm to firm, lawyers may work up to 80 hours per week. The average work hours for different types of lawyers are: Large firms: 66 hours per week. Small- and medium-sized firms: 42-54 hours per week.

How much do lawyers work a week?

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.

Do lawyers work everyday of the week?

While not a specific requirement, lawyers often work long hours and can sometimes work in high-stress environments. While some lawyers can manage part-time or 40-hour workweeks, many work nights and weekends to fulfill all their responsibilities and commitments.

Do lawyers make $500 an hour?

For example, an attorney practicing in a small rural area in Kansas may earn $50 per hour for the same exact legal services performed by a lawyer in Los Angeles, Atlanta, or New York where hourly rates for the same legal service could be as high as $300 to $500 per hour.

Do lawyers work 60 hours a week?

According to surveys, most lawyers work between 50 and 80 hours per week, far exceeding the standard 40-hour workweek. For those in Big Law or high-pressure specialties such as corporate litigation or mergers and acquisitions, the hours can be even longer, especially during critical periods of a case or deal.

How Much Do Lawyers Make | (Average Lawyer Salaries!)

19 related questions found

Do lawyers work 9 5?

During the week, many attorneys work additional hours outside of the traditional 9-to-5 business day. The 2022 Legal Trends Report provides deeper insights into lawyer working hours: 86% of lawyers work outside of the typical work day (beginning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and ending between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.).

Can lawyers work 4 days a week?

Can lawyers work a 4 day week? The legal profession is often associated with non-stop work. It is an industry involving a great deal of stress. However, in fact pretty much any kind of white-collar work can be arranged this way, provided you are well-organized and communicate clearly with clients.

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 300k?

Lawyer salaries by state

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

Do lawyers make 100k?

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

How early do lawyers wake up?

Most lawyers work for 50-60 hours per week in the office and some work even outside the office. Their time can start anywhere from 7:30 in the morning to 9 AM, but as we've already said, it depends. Some lawyers have also shared that they work roughly 9-5 and are accessible on weekends.

How is life as a lawyer?

A day in the life of a lawyer is anything but a nine-to-five routine with an hour or more for a leisurely lunch. Bloomberg View reported that an attorney at a large law firm works anywhere from 50 to 60 hours a week on average. The long hours are the result of the obligations the practice of law imposes on an attorney.

Do lawyers have time for family?

According to the National Association for Law Placement, more than 70 percent of those surveyed reported having a significant problem finding time for family and leisure, as well as personal and health needs.

Do lawyers work 100 hours a week?

Full-time hours for a lawyer are rarely the usual 40 hours. While it can differ from firm to firm, lawyers may work up to 80 hours per week. The average work hours for different types of lawyers are: Large firms: 66 hours per week.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

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.

Is being a lawyer stressful?

While lawyers might benefit from having an elite reputation and plenty of cash in the bank, it can also be incredibly stressful. Many attorneys grapple with long hours, difficult clients, and ever-increasing demands daily.

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.

Can being a lawyer make me a millionaire?

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.

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.

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 $500,000 a year in Canada?

500k salary jobs
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What type of lawyer is best paid?

11 of the highest-paying lawyers
  • Civil litigation attorney. ...
  • Real estate attorney. ...
  • Intellectual property attorney. ...
  • Bankruptcy lawyer. ...
  • Family lawyer. ...
  • Tax attorney. ...
  • Corporate attorney. ...
  • Patent attorney.

Do lawyers get Sundays off?

Many people wonder if lawyers work on weekends. The answer is yes, many lawyers do work on weekends. This often depends on the type of law they practice and the demands of their cases and clients. Lawyers in certain fields such as criminal defense often find themselves needing to work outside of regular business hours.

What is a typical day as a lawyer?

There is a part of the day that is usually spent in a courtroom, either litigating motions, going to trial, or in some kind of a status conference. A great deal of time is also spent meeting with clients and researching legal issues. This kind of job is filled with surprises.

Do lawyers ever get a day off?

What is the typical PTO policy for law firms? Lawyers do not get a typical PTO policy as seen in large corporations. Instead, the lawyer's years in a firm–as well as their attorneyship rank–will determine how many days of vacation time they receive each year.