What type of law pays the most?

Asked by: Summer Runolfsson  |  Last update: January 13, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (9 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.

Which type of law makes the most money?

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. Other lawyers are more motivated by getting justice for their clients than by collecting the largest possible paycheck.

Which law is the highest paid?

M&A, private equity, and banking law are some of the most lucrative practice areas, with firms paying top salaries to attract specialists​.

How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?

How can a lawyer make 500k a year?
  1. Create an SEO for Lawyers Strategy.
  2. Build a Solid Law Firm Website.
  3. Write Engaging Attorney Content.
  4. Start a Lawyer PPC Campaign.
  5. Register Your Law Firm in Relevant Listings and Directories.
  6. Engage in Reputation Management for Lawyers.

What is the best field of law?

Here are 16 fruitful, promising areas of law for you to consider.
  • Civil Rights. ...
  • Animal Rights. ...
  • Immigration. ...
  • Sports and Entertainment. ...
  • Labor. ...
  • Family Law. ...
  • Elder Law. ...
  • Education. If actively practicing law doesn't seem to fit anymore, you can always go into education, teaching law to students.

Big Law's Big Paychecks: Partner Compensation, Explained

43 related questions found

Which law is highest in demand?

Some of the most popular law specializations in India are – Civil Law, Criminal Law , Corporate Law , Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Law .

What is the easiest branch of law?

  • Easiest law to practice.
  • Real estate law: the calm of contracts and closings.
  • Estate planning: beyond grave matters.
  • Transactional IP law: where creativity meets law.
  • Tax law: counting dollars, not hours.
  • Government agency roles: The legal life outside the courtroom.
  • Public-interest and nonprofit work: the happiness factor.

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 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.

How rich is the average lawyer?

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

Which type of lawyer is the richest?

As of 2024, the top five highest paid types of lawyers are:
  • Patent Attorneys.
  • Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
  • Trial Lawyers.
  • Tax Attorneys.
  • Corporate Lawyers.

Does law actually pay well?

Lawyer salaries by state

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

Which area of law pays best?

Along with your geographical location, the legal practice area you choose to specialise in can have a big impact on your earnings. You'll find the highest salaries in practice areas that deal with high-profile companies on national and international scales, such as commercial, corporate and intellectual property law.

What type of law pays the least?

Types of Legal Positions with Lower Salaries

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 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.

Are lawyers or bankers richer?

On Wall Street, Lawyers Make More Than Bankers Now - WSJ.

What is the highest paying law type?

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 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 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.

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.

Is a 200k salary considered rich?

Is $200,000 a Year Considered Rich? There's no standard definition of “rich,” though most people would certainly consider a single person making $200,000 to be well-off. But again, where you live — and the cost of living there — play a role. Another way to think about what “rich” means is to calculate your net worth.

Is law easier than doctor?

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.

What is the hardest law degree to get?

The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.

What kind of lawyers are happiest?

Lawyers who serve the public interest can deal with emotionally wrenching, high-stakes cases and work long hours, sometimes in exchange for comparatively lower salaries. But research indicates that public interest lawyers are, as a whole, happier than their colleagues in more remunerative positions within law firms.