Which law degree has the highest salary?

Asked by: Darien Corwin  |  Last update: April 26, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (58 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 field 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 type of lawyer gets paid the most?

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.

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

5-Step Marketing Formula Used by the Highest-Paid Lawyers
  1. High-Performance Law Firm Website.
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  3. Optimize Legal Website Ads.
  4. Improve Reviews and Listings.
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What type of law earns the most money?

1. What Type of Lawyer Makes the Most Money? Patent lawyers, IP attorneys, and trial lawyers make the most money. However, don't let that stop you from exploring other specialties—you can still make a good chunk of change.

The Lifestyle of JD Vance 2025 ★ Usha Vance, 3 Children, Houses, Cars, Net Worth

35 related questions found

What is the average debt for law students?

The average law school graduate owes $130,000 in student loan debt. 71% of law school students graduate in debt. $119,292 is the average amount students borrow just to attend law school. $92,267 is the average amount borrowed to attend one of the top 10 law schools in terms of salary-to-debt ratio.

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.

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.

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.

What field of law is most in demand?

Which Legal Fields Are 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 richest part of law?

Some areas of law have emerged as particularly lucrative due to their complexity, the high stakes involved, or the specialized knowledge required.
  • Patent Attorneys. ...
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Attorneys. ...
  • Trial Lawyers. ...
  • Tax Attorneys. ...
  • Corporate Lawyers.

What is the lowest paid type of 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.

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.

Why are big law salaries so high?

Why does Big Law pay so well? Big Law firms pay well in part because of the extremely competitive market, in which firms are raising salaries to keep up with each other and capture top talent. That competition is creating a wider divide between the largest firms and the midlevel and small firms.

What is the highest paying job in the world?

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. Irrespective of the company's size, a CEO handles all its day-to-day corporate affairs, manages resources and handles all managerial processes.

What salary is upper class?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in 2022 was $74,580. To reach the upper class in 2024, you'd typically need an income exceeding $153,000 – more than double the national median. Don't Miss: Are you rich?

What salary can afford a 700k house?

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.

What percent of Americans make over 100k?

Only 18% of individual Americans make more than $100,000 a year, according to 2023 data from careers website Zippia. About 34% of U.S. households earn more than $100,000 a year, according to Zippia.

How much do the top 1% of lawyers make?

The data source was compiled from the US Department of Labor. The top 10% of attorneys in America make over $208,000, and the top 1% make well over $500,000 per year.

What is a 1 figure salary?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $173,000 and as low as $109,000, the majority of 1 Figure salaries currently range between $167,000 (25th percentile) to $173,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $173,000 annually across the United States.

Can a lawyer be a millionaire?

Some lawyers have not only made a name for themselves through legal prowess but also amassed significant wealth in the process. We explore individuals who have achieved millionaire status by excelling in the legal field or leveraging their legal expertise in other ventures.

Is law school harder than med school?

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.

Will law school pay off?

Graduating from a top law school pays significant dividends, often earning you enough money to quickly repay student loans. At the lowest tier, students don't enjoy nearly the same return on that investment, or ROI.

What is the failure rate for law school?

The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions.