What is the average salary of a law graduate in USA?
Asked by: Dayna Breitenberg | Last update: January 9, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (59 votes)
As of Jan 22, 2025, the average annual pay for a Law School Graduate in the United States is $55,419 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $26.64 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,065/week or $4,618/month.
How much do most first year lawyers make?
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.
Which law degree has highest salary?
Ans: Corporate law and international law often offer the highest salaries.
Is law school worth it financially?
Earn More Money Over Your Lifetime
Starting salaries may dissuade you from investing in law school. Nevertheless, research shows that "law degree holders' earnings grow rapidly and peak late in life," suggesting better financial outcomes than forgoing a JD degree.
Does a JD make you a lawyer?
However, not every state in the US requires you to have a JD before you can sit for a bar exam. For instance, in California, instead of getting a JD, you can get a law office study degree.
How Much Do Lawyers Make | (Average Lawyer Salaries!)
Is law a high paying career in USA?
Lawyers and Judges
Legal professionals, particularly corporate lawyers and judges, are among the highest earners in the USA, with some making over $200,000 annually. Juris Doctor (J.D.) Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Is law school harder than med school?
Each path demands extensive education and a commitment to rigorous training before becoming a qualified professional. Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.
How hard is the bar exam?
The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.
What is the dropout rate for law school?
The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.
What field of law is most in demand?
- Intellectual property law. ...
- Family law. ...
- Immigration & naturalization law. ...
- Real estate law. ...
- Contract management. ...
- Compliance. ...
- Labor and employment. ...
- Corporate transactions. Also known as mergers and acquisitions, or M&A, this work navigates the buying and selling of companies and their assets.
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.
What branch of law pays the most?
- 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.
- Criminal defense lawyer: $86,000.
- Immigration lawyer: $83,000.
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.
What is an entry level lawyer called?
First-year associates are entry-level junior attorneys and are generally recent law school graduates in their first year of law practice.
How many hours do lawyers work?
Most lawyers work full-time, and some regularly exceed the standard 40-hour workweek. The size of their practice significantly impacts how many hours lawyers typically work each week. For example: Lawyers at small- and medium-sized firms work an average of 42-54 hours per week.
What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?
California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?
Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!
Is the NCLEX harder than the bar exam?
The Bar Exam is often considered more challenging than the NCLEX due to its comprehensive coverage of intricate legal subjects and a lower average pass rate of around 60%.
What is the hardest subject in a law degree?
First-year law school classes tend to be the most difficult of any that you will experience in your three years of law school, as you are getting used to new subject matter and heavier readings. Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are: Constitutional Law. Civil Procedure.
Is it harder to get a PHD or law school?
Yes, grad school requires learning new approaches, new theories, new ways of thinking. Some of this even makes your head spin. But it simply doesn't require the same radical realignment that law school does. What you learned as an undergraduate applies to grad school — but not so much to law school.
Which field in law makes the most money?
Trial Lawyer
There is the most competition arising profession in the legal career and also the most paying one. The salary and other benefits may vary according to the job location and relevance of the case. Delhi and Mumbai are the two high paying job locations.
What will be the highest paying job in 2025?
- Surgeons and anesthesiologists lead in pay, with salaries between $200,000 and $400,000.
- Telemedicine specialists, who provide virtual care, typically earn $120,000 to $150,000, reflecting the growing demand for remote medical services.
What is the head lawyer called?
A general counsel, also known as chief counsel or chief legal officer (CLO), is the chief in-house lawyer for a company or a governmental department.