Legal Industry Salaries in USA 2025
What lawyers, attorneys, and legal professionals really earn
Legal Salary Range (By Role & Firm Type)
Legal Industry Overview 2025
Legal is a bimodal profession—new lawyers either earn $225,000 at elite firms or $50,000–$80,000 at small practices. This "bimodal distribution" makes average salary figures misleading. Understanding the legal market's structure is essential for realistic salary expectations.
This pillar covers compensation across legal careers—from paralegal to BigLaw partner. Whether you're targeting corporate law, public interest, government, or solo practice, you'll find relevant benchmarks here.
Legal compensation varies dramatically by firm size, practice area, location, and years of experience. BigLaw follows lockstep compensation scales, while other settings have more variation.
Legal Pay Snapshot: 2025
| Role | Salary Range 2025 |
|---|---|
| Legal Secretary | $45,000–$65,000 |
| Paralegal | $50,000–$85,000 |
| Public Defender / Legal Aid | $55,000–$90,000 |
| Government Attorney | $65,000–$150,000 |
| Small Firm Associate | $60,000–$120,000 |
| Mid-Size Firm Associate | $100,000–$180,000 |
| BigLaw First-Year Associate | $225,000 (base) |
| BigLaw Senior Associate | $365,000–$420,000 |
| In-House Counsel | $120,000–$300,000+ |
| BigLaw Partner | $500,000–$5M+ |
| General Counsel (Fortune 500) | $500,000–$2M+ |
Salaries by Firm Type
BigLaw (Top 100 Firms)
Elite firms pay on the "Cravath scale"—lockstep compensation based on class year. First-years earn $225,000 base plus $20,000–$115,000 bonus. By year 8, senior associates earn $420,000+ base. Equity partners at top firms earn $1M–$5M+. The tradeoff: 2,000–2,400 billable hours annually (60–80 hour weeks). See our Lawyer salary guide.
Mid-Size Firms (50–200 attorneys)
Mid-size firms pay 60–80% of BigLaw rates. First-years earn $120,000–$180,000, seniors $180,000–$280,000. Hours are often 1,800–2,000 billable. Better work-life balance with substantial compensation.
Small Firms & Solo Practice
Small firm associates start at $60,000–$100,000. Experienced attorneys earn $100,000–$200,000. Solo practitioners have high variance—some earn $50,000, successful ones $300,000+. More autonomy but less stability.
Government & Public Interest
Federal government (DOJ, SEC, etc.) pays GS-11 to GS-15 scales: $65,000–$150,000+. State/local government typically pays less. Public defenders and legal aid attorneys earn $55,000–$90,000. Many offer loan forgiveness programs (PSLF).
In-House Corporate
Corporate legal departments offer $120,000–$300,000 for attorneys, with General Counsel at large companies earning $500,000–$2M+. Better hours than law firms (40–50 vs. 60–80), stock/equity compensation, and business exposure.
BigLaw Salary Scale 2025 (Cravath)
| Class Year | Base Salary | Typical Bonus | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | $225,000 | $20,000–$25,000 | $245,000–$250,000 |
| 2nd Year | $235,000 | $35,000–$50,000 | $270,000–$285,000 |
| 3rd Year | $260,000 | $55,000–$75,000 | $315,000–$335,000 |
| 4th Year | $310,000 | $75,000–$95,000 | $385,000–$405,000 |
| 5th Year | $345,000 | $90,000–$110,000 | $435,000–$455,000 |
| 6th Year | $370,000 | $100,000–$115,000 | $470,000–$485,000 |
| 7th Year | $400,000 | $105,000–$120,000 | $505,000–$520,000 |
| 8th Year | $420,000 | $110,000–$125,000 | $530,000–$545,000 |
Salaries by Practice Area
| Practice Area | Typical Premium |
|---|---|
| M&A / Corporate | Highest-paying; most BigLaw |
| Intellectual Property (Patent) | +10–20% (technical background required) |
| Tax | +5–15% (LLM often required) |
| Litigation | Standard BigLaw rates |
| Real Estate | Standard to slightly below |
| Employment | Slightly below average |
| Family Law | Usually small firm; $80K–$150K |
| Criminal Defense | Varies widely; $60K–$200K+ |
| Immigration | $70K–$150K typically |
Geographic Salary Variations
Major Legal Markets
New York pays highest—BigLaw is headquartered there, and the Cravath scale originates from NYC. California (LA, SF), DC, and Chicago also pay full market rates. Secondary markets (Houston, Boston, Atlanta) may pay 10–15% less.
Regional Adjustments
Smaller markets pay less but cost of living is lower. A $150,000 attorney in Atlanta may have similar purchasing power to a $225,000 attorney in NYC. Some firms offer "market rate" regardless of office location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average lawyer salary in 2025?
The median is approximately $130,000, but this is misleading. The distribution is bimodal: ~25% of new lawyers start at $190,000–$225,000 (BigLaw), while ~50% start at $50,000–$80,000 (small firms, public interest). The "average" rarely represents any actual lawyer's salary.
Is law school worth it financially?
It depends entirely on outcomes. BigLaw attorneys earning $225,000+ can justify $200,000+ in debt. Public interest lawyers earning $60,000 with $200,000 debt face hardship (though PSLF helps). The key: only attend law school if confident about career outcomes and willing to accept the risk.
How much do BigLaw partners make?
Equity partners at AmLaw 100 firms average $1M–$3M. Top partners at elite firms (Wachtell, Cravath, Sullivan) can earn $5M–$10M+. Non-equity partners earn $400,000–$700,000. Partnership typically takes 8–12 years.
What's the highest-paying legal specialty?
Corporate M&A and private equity work at elite firms pays most. Patent litigation (with technical degrees) also commands premiums. Trial lawyers at plaintiff-side contingency firms can earn millions on major cases.