What lawyer gets paid the highest?

Asked by: Aniyah Vandervort  |  Last update: January 3, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (11 votes)

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • 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.

What is the highest paid type of lawyer?

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.

Which field of lawyer makes the most money?

Highest Paid Lawyers Around the World
  • Corporate Lawyers. Corporate law relates to the regulation of corporations, including their formation, management, and winding up. ...
  • Tax Attorneys. ...
  • Trial Lawyers. ...
  • Intellectual Property Lawyers. ...
  • Medical Lawyers. ...
  • Real Estate Attorneys. ...
  • Immigration Lawyers. ...
  • Admiralty (Maritime) Lawyers.

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 the highest position in a lawyer?

The highest level in a law firm is typically the senior partner, who has significant control over the firm's operations, strategic direction, and client management.

Why some lawyers make $$$$$ ... and others don't

17 related questions found

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.

What job makes the most money?

Get Matched!
  • Obstetrician and Gynecologist. #1 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Psychiatrist. #2 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Emergency Medicine Physician. #3 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Orthodontist. #4 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Anesthesiologist. #5 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. #6 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
  • Radiologist. ...
  • Pilot.

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.

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.

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.

Who is the lowest paid lawyer?

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.

Which type of lawyer is the richest?

The highest-paid lawyers typically specialize in fields such as corporate law, intellectual property, tax law, medical malpractice, and entertainment law. These areas command higher salaries due to the complexity, demand, and financial stakes involved.

What branch of law pays the most?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • 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.

Which field lawyer earns the most?

In India, tax lawyers are among the highest-paid legal professionals due to their specialised expertise. Corporate tax lawyer salary in India can range between ₹6 to ₹15 lakhs per year, while individual tax lawyer salary in India is estimated to be between ₹3 to ₹8 lakhs annually.

Is criminal law hard?

Criminal law is tough—but if you're willing to rise to the challenge, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more exciting, diverse, or thought-provoking legal career.

Do top lawyers make millions?

How Much Do Top Lawyers Make? According to ALM Global's 2023 Global 100 Ranked by Profits Per Equity Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (the highest-paid lawyers in the United States) pays their equity partners a whopping $7.52 million per year.

What is the 1% salary?

How Much Does the Top 1% Make? According to data from the Social Security Administration, you need to make $794,129 annually to be in the top 1% of wage earners in the United States. This is based on an analysis of 2023 wage data, the most recent available.

Can I afford a 700k house with 100k salary?

To afford a $700,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $175,000 to $235,000, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a general range, and your specific circumstances will determine the exact income required.

How do I make $500,000 a year?

13 jobs that can pay over $500k a year
  1. Actor.
  2. Author.
  3. Accountant.
  4. Insurance agent.
  5. Investment banker.
  6. Professional athlete.
  7. Entrepreneur.
  8. Hedge fund manager.

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)

What is a divorce lawyer called?

A divorce lawyer, also called a family law attorney, is someone who knows a lot about divorce, child custody, and how to split money and belongings when a marriage ends. They represent people in court and give advice about divorce.

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 job has most millionaires?

THE TOP 5 CAREERS OF MILLIONAIRES: - Engineer - Accountant (CPA) - Teacher - Management - Attorney Some of those are surprising, huh? Nope, teacher isn't a typo. You see, it's not chance or inheritance that creates most millionaires.

What is the lowest paying job?

11 lowest paying jobs
  • Care worker.
  • Shelf packer.
  • Play worker.
  • Nursery nurse.
  • Teaching assistant.
  • Cashier.
  • Dental nurse.
  • Cook.

Which is the richest job?

Here are the top 10 highest paying jobs in the world:
  • Chief Executive Officer.
  • Anesthesiologist.
  • General and Orthopedic Surgeons.
  • Psychiatrists.
  • Data Scientists.
  • Software Engineers.
  • Investment Banker.
  • Professional Athletes.