Lawyer salaries span one of the widest ranges of any profession in the United States.
According to the 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, lawyers (SOC 23-1011) earned a median annual wage of $145,760 — but that number tells only part of the story.
A solo practitioner handling family law matters in a rural county may earn less than $60,000 per year, while a first-year associate at a top-tier corporate law firm in New York City may earn $225,000 or more based on the industry-standard Cravath salary scale.
Public defenders and legal aid attorneys often earn under $70,000.
The variation is driven by practice area, firm size, geographic market, and career stage.
Law school debt — typically $130,000 to $200,000 at private law schools — makes understanding the full salary landscape essential for prospective law students.
For comparison across legal and finance career paths, see the financial analyst salary and explore which types of lawyers earn the most.
Lawyer Salary Overview (2026)
According to the 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for lawyers (SOC 23-1011), the national median annual wage was $145,760.
The 90th percentile exceeded $239,200 — the highest category BLS OEWS reports without further breakout.
The mean annual wage was also above the median, reflecting a segment of very high earners at large law firms and in-house corporate roles that pull the average upward.
BLS wage percentiles for lawyers:
- 10th percentile: approximately $66,000/year
- 25th percentile: approximately $92,000/year
- 50th percentile (median): $145,760/year
- 75th percentile: approximately $208,000/year
- 90th percentile: $239,200+ (BLS top-coded)
The wide spread between the 10th and 90th percentiles — over $170,000 — reflects the profound impact of firm size, practice area, and geography on lawyer pay. Median salary data alone provides limited guidance for anyone trying to understand what a lawyer in a specific role or market may earn.
For a complete breakdown of how any hourly wage in these ranges translates to annual, monthly, weekly, and after-tax take-home, see our hourly-to-annual salary conversion guides.
Lawyer Pay by Experience Level and Career Stage
Lawyer compensation follows a relatively structured progression at large law firms (the "BigLaw" segment), while being far more variable at small firms, solo practices, and government or nonprofit employers.
The table below reflects general ranges across firm types; actual pay depends heavily on employer type and practice area.
| Career Stage | Typical Annual Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Law Student / Summer Associate | $0 – $25,000 (stipend / paid summer) | BigLaw summer associates at top firms may receive pro-rated salaries equivalent to full associate pay |
| Entry-Level Associate (1–3 years) | $70,000 – $225,000+ | Wide range: public sector / small firm vs. BigLaw Cravath scale |
| Mid-Level Associate (4–7 years) | $90,000 – $255,000+ | Lockstep increases at large firms; more variable at smaller practices |
| Senior Associate / Counsel (7–10 years) | $100,000 – $280,000+ | Counsel roles at large firms provide a non-partner track |
| Non-Equity Partner | $150,000 – $400,000+ | Fixed salary without profit-sharing; less upside than equity |
| Equity Partner | $300,000 – $1,000,000+ | Profit-sharing; top partners at elite firms earn substantially more |
It is important to note that BLS OEWS data reflects wages as reported by employers and captures wage income rather than full equity partner distributions. Very high partner earnings may not be fully reflected in BLS figures.
The BigLaw Salary Scale
The Cravath salary scale — established by Cravath, Swaine & Moore and broadly followed by large law firms — set first-year associate salaries at $225,000 in 2024, based on announcements from law firms at the time.
Firms following this scale provide predictable lockstep increases through the associate years.
However, the Cravath scale applies only to a fraction of all lawyers — those employed at large corporate law firms typically in major metropolitan markets.
The Law School Transparency nonprofit estimates that fewer than 20% of law school graduates obtain BigLaw positions. For the majority of lawyers, compensation is set by market rates at smaller practices, government pay scales, or nonprofit salary bands.
Equity Partner vs. Non-Equity Partner
The partner track at law firms involves two meaningfully different designations. Equity partners hold an ownership stake in the firm and receive a share of profits, which can yield compensation far above any fixed salary. Non-equity partners carry the partner title but receive a fixed compensation without profit participation.
The distinction matters substantially for income potential — an equity partner at a profitable national firm may earn multiples of a senior associate's salary, while a non-equity partner earns a salary more comparable to a senior associate at the same firm.
Lawyer Salary by Practice Area
Practice area is one of the most significant drivers of lawyer compensation. The following reflects general industry patterns; BLS OEWS does not publish lawyer wages broken out by practice area within the SOC 23-1011 category.
Corporate and M&A Law
Corporate transactional law — mergers and acquisitions, securities, private equity, capital markets — is associated with the highest compensation in the legal profession.
Lawyers in this area at large firms follow the Cravath scale as associates and may generate substantial equity partner distributions.
High billing rates, long deal hours, and client revenue tied to transaction fees drive compensation at the top end.
Intellectual Property Law
IP lawyers — particularly patent attorneys who require a scientific or engineering background — command above-average compensation across firm sizes.
Patent prosecution and patent litigation at major tech and pharmaceutical companies or large firms is among the higher-paying specialties.
A technical undergraduate degree plus JD, or a USPTO registration as a patent agent, is typically required for patent work.
Criminal Defense Law
Criminal defense pay varies enormously by employer.
Public defenders — government-employed criminal defense attorneys — typically earn $50,000 to $80,000 depending on jurisdiction and years of service, with government benefit packages but often heavy caseloads.
Private criminal defense attorneys at established firms in major markets may earn substantially more, particularly for white-collar defense.
A small number of high-profile criminal defense lawyers earn very high fees, but this segment is not representative of the occupation broadly.
Family Law
Family law — divorce, custody, adoption, domestic violence matters — is handled predominantly by small firms and solo practitioners.
Rates vary widely by market.
Urban family law attorneys in high-asset divorce practices may earn well above the median, while rural or public interest family law work typically pays below the national median.
The client base and billing structure (hourly fees, retainers, flat fees) directly affect income in this practice area.
Public Defenders and Legal Aid Attorneys
Government public defenders and legal aid attorneys serve clients who cannot afford private counsel.
Salaries are set by government pay scales or nonprofit budgets and typically range from $48,000 to $85,000, depending on jurisdiction and years of service.
These positions carry significant social mission but require careful consideration of loan repayment given the law school debt most attorneys carry.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) may be applicable for attorneys employed full-time at qualifying government or nonprofit organizations.
Lawyer Salary by State
Geographic market significantly affects lawyer compensation. According to BLS OEWS state data, the highest-paying states for lawyers include:
- District of Columbia: The DC metro area — home to major law firms, federal agencies, trade associations, and lobbying shops — consistently ranks as the top-paying market for lawyers nationally
- California: Silicon Valley tech clients, entertainment law in LA, and large litigation shops in San Francisco drive high compensation; California lawyers earned a median notably above the national figure. The cost of living in California is among the highest in the nation, which offsets some of the nominal wage advantage.
- New York: Wall Street financial clients, BigLaw concentration in Manhattan, and a large legal services market support among the highest lawyer wages in the country. The cost of living in New York is the key context for evaluating whether high salaries translate to strong purchasing power.
States with lower costs of living and fewer large corporate clients — such as rural Midwestern or Southern states — tend to show lawyer wages closer to or below the national median, even for experienced practitioners.
The most meaningful geographic premium is generally found in large metro areas rather than being a statewide effect.
For Texas-based attorneys, the cost of living in Texas — significantly lower than the coasts — can make legal salaries in Austin or Houston stretch considerably further.
Law School Debt and Return on Investment
The median student loan debt for law school graduates from private programs typically falls in the range of $130,000 to $200,000.
Against a median lawyer salary of $145,760, the debt-to-income ratio is challenging — particularly for lawyers who enter public sector, public interest, or small-firm practice.
For attorneys entering BigLaw at $225,000, the debt burden is more manageable in absolute repayment terms, though the demanding hours come with their own costs.
Prospective law students are strongly advised to research employment outcomes and median salaries for graduates of specific law schools before enrollment, as placement rates in well-paying positions vary substantially by program rank and location.
The student loan interest deduction may provide meaningful tax relief for early-career lawyers still in repayment, and understanding the impact of income on average net worth by age can help set realistic financial milestones given the delayed income start of a legal career.
Lawyer Career Outlook
According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of lawyers is projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033, a rate consistent with the average for all occupations.
The BLS notes that demand for legal services is driven by business activity, regulatory complexity, and litigation volume — all of which tend to track with overall economic conditions.
Competition for positions at large law firms remains intense, and the U.S. Department of Labor identifies legal services as a sector where earnings are closely tied to the economic performance of client industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for a lawyer in 2024?
According to the 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $145,760.
However, the median spans an unusually wide range of actual outcomes — lawyers at large corporate firms in major cities may earn $225,000 or more as first-year associates, while public defenders and solo practitioners in rural markets may earn significantly below the national median.
For a related legal career comparison, see the financial analyst salary, which reflects another high-skill, degree-required field that is often compared to law in terms of career trajectory and compensation.
How much do first-year BigLaw associates make?
First-year associates at large law firms following the Cravath salary scale earned $225,000 in 2024, based on announcements from firms at that time.
This figure applies to a relatively small subset of all law graduates — primarily those at top-ranked schools who obtain positions at large corporate law firms in major cities.
The BLS median for all lawyers of $145,760 reflects a much broader population including small-firm attorneys, government lawyers, and public interest practitioners.
What is the difference between an equity partner and a non-equity partner?
An equity partner holds an ownership stake in a law firm and receives a share of the firm's profits, which can yield compensation substantially above any fixed salary.
A non-equity partner carries the partner title but receives a fixed salary without profit participation.
The distinction is significant for income potential — equity partners at profitable large firms may earn multiples of a senior associate's compensation, while non-equity partners earn salaries more comparable to senior associates.
Which type of lawyer makes the most money?
Corporate and M&A lawyers at large law firms in major metropolitan markets — particularly New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC — are associated with the highest compensation in the legal profession.
Intellectual property attorneys with technical backgrounds and patent law expertise also command above-average pay.
These specialties combine high client revenue, complex work, and concentrated demand from corporate and institutional clients.
For a deeper breakdown, see our guide on which types of lawyers earn the most.
Is law school worth the cost given the salary?
The financial case for law school depends heavily on which type of legal career a person pursues.
At large corporate firms following the Cravath scale, a $225,000 starting salary can support repayment of $150,000–$200,000 in debt within several years.
For attorneys entering public interest, government, or small-firm practice at $50,000–$80,000, the debt-to-income ratio is more challenging, though Public Service Loan Forgiveness may be applicable in qualifying roles.
Prospective students are advised to review employment outcome data for specific schools before enrollment. The student loan interest deduction and strong salary negotiation skills upon entering practice are two levers that can meaningfully improve a new attorney's financial position.
Sources & References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Lawyers (SOC 23-1011), 2024 survey data — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Lawyers, job outlook and wage data — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm
- U.S. Department of Labor — wage and employment context for legal services sector — https://www.dol.gov/
Last updated: April 27, 2026