What is the lowest paying law field?
Asked by: Chloe Herman DVM | Last update: January 3, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (9 votes)
We find that within the legal industry, certain segments are known to offer lower compensation. Typically, public defenders, legal aid attorneys, and lawyers working for nonprofit organizations are among the lowest paid.
What is the lowest paid type of lawyer?
Still, many law firms offer many opportunities for their associates to move up the ladder and earn a higher salary. The lowest-paid legal jobs are typically those in the public sector, such as district attorneys or public defenders. Lawyers in these positions often make just above minimum wage.
What is the lowest pay for a lawyer?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $148,350 and as low as $50,525, the majority of Entry Level Lawyer salaries currently range between $84,900 (25th percentile) to $110,700 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $140,825 annually in Los Angeles.
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.
How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?
- Create an SEO for Lawyers Strategy.
- Build a Solid Law Firm Website.
- Write Engaging Attorney Content.
- Start a Lawyer PPC Campaign.
- Register Your Law Firm in Relevant Listings and Directories.
- Engage in Reputation Management for Lawyers.
Why some lawyers make $$$$$ ... and others don't
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.
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.
Do lawyers work 100 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.
Where do most lawyers live?
The state with the most lawyers is New York. With its significant concentration of law firms, corporate headquarters, and financial institutions, New York has the highest number of practicing attorneys in the U.S., particularly in cities like New York City.
Do criminal defense lawyers get paid if they lose?
Contingency Fees
If the lawyer does not win, they do not receive a fee for their services. The contingency fee arrangement aligns the lawyer's interests with those of the client, as both parties benefit from a successful outcome.
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.
Do lawyers retire early?
According to the Center for Retirement Research (CRR) at Boston College, the average retirement age is 65 for men and 62 for women. In the legal profession, however, people sometimes choose to work longer than that.
How many people can't afford a lawyer?
"We said, 'More than 100 million Americans can't afford legal services. What can we do about it?' Thus, the idea for Legal Mapmaker was born." Legal Mapmaker is a new Baylor Law School program designed to prepare young lawyers to open law firms.
Which lawyer is the easiest?
The easiest law to practice is often considered to be estate planning. This involves helping clients prepare for the distribution of their assets upon death or incapacitation, making it relatively straightforward compared to other legal fields.
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.
What lawyer is in most demand?
Some of the most universally in-demand legal specialties include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law.
How old are lawyers when they graduate?
What Is The Average Age Of Law Students? The average age of law students is 25 or younger. Only 20% of law students are 30 or older. While only a small percentage of law students are above the age of 40, there have been several successful older graduates.
Where is it hardest to become a lawyer?
1. California
Law students across the US may be familiar with the famed “impossible” California bar exam. But why is the California bar exam so hard? For starters, the cut score (the score needed to pass the test) of the California bar is 1390 out of 2000, which is 40 points above the national average.
Is being a lawyer worth it?
Lucrative career
They make a national average salary of $50,979 per year . Though you may not earn this income as a new lawyer, you can work your way toward this salary with enough hard work and experience. However, finding satisfaction in your specific field may be worth more than your annual salary.
Do any lawyers work 9 5?
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.). 56% of lawyers continue working after 5 p.m. and 28% work past 6 p.m. 11% of lawyers reported working after 10 p.m.
What type of lawyer gets paid most?
Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field.
What is a 1 figure salary?
How much does a 1 Figure make? As of Jan 21, 2025, the average annual pay for a 1 Figure in the United States is $167,480 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $80.52 an hour.
Can lawyers make 300k a year?
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 be a 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.