Different reasons may motivate aspiring lawyers or attorneys to practice law. Some people are drawn to the area of public defenders because of their academic interests or their desire for a particular lifestyle, while others may want to serve as public defenders and help those in need of justice. While others chose the field because they are one of the highest paid careers in the world.
Although there isn’t just one good reason to become a lawyer, choosing your legal specialty should take your pay into account.
This article examines the highest-paying lawyer roles and average yearly salary.
Different fields for lawyers
There are numerous things to think about when deciding to become a lawyer. For example, family law attorneys represent clients in matters involving divorce, child custody, and adoption, while corporate lawyers offer legal assistance to big businesses and organizations. As an attorney, you can also focus on the following other areas of law:
- Corporate and business law
- Legal management and administration
- Civil, human, and animal rights
- Medical malpractice
- Auto accidents and injuries
- Family and divorce law
- Estate and probate law
- Real estate law
- Employment and labor law
- Criminal defense
Top 10 Highest Paid Lawyer Jobs
According to Indeed, $50,607 is the average yearly income for a lawyer. These are the highest-paid lawyer jobs that pay more than the general salary indicated above, which attorneys might want to consider pursuing.
#1. Immigration lawyer
Average salary: $67,296 per year
An immigration lawyer helps those who wish to live, work, or study abroad with their legal needs. Immigration attorneys advise their clients on immigration-related issues, such as green card applications, visa applications, naturalization, citizenship, deportation, and employment opportunities for foreign nationals. Note that many immigration lawyers also deal with criminal law situations regarding immigration.
#2. Employment law associate
Average salary: $83,580 per year.
Employment law associates, often known as labor and employment lawyers, assist and advise companies and employees regarding state and federal employment laws. Usually, they assist employers in ensuring that workplaces adhere to employment regulations and that each employee is treated fairly and consistently. Associates in employment law may also defend workers in cases of discrimination.
#3. Personal injury lawyer
Average salary: $89,686 per year
For both the plaintiff and the defendant in personal injury cases, a personal injury attorney assists with the preparation of court paperwork. Their work primarily includes interacting with clients and conducting investigations to ascertain the specifics of a case. Typically, they conduct client interviews, compile medical records, obtain paperwork and insurance information from defendants, and help organize and draft settlement demands.
#4. Civil litigation attorney
Average salary: $101,177 per year
Small claims and civil dispute issues are frequently handled by civil litigation lawyers who can defend against or bring lawsuits against businesses or people. Attorneys specializing in civil litigation visit with clients, both plaintiffs and defendants, to gather information and documentation. They also draft pleadings, enter pleas, and prepare court and trial papers. Litigation lawyers may also testify in court on behalf of their clients in serious circumstances.
#5. Real estate attorney
Average salary: $105,938 per year
In cases involving real estate and property transactions, real estate attorneys assist their clients. Residential or commercial real estate may be the area of expertise for this kind of lawyer. A real estate lawyer drafts legal documents, examines sales agreements, and conducts additional investigations for their clients. They might also participate in hearings and trials as part of a lawsuit.
#6. Intellectual property attorney
Average salary: $119,583 per year
Patent or intellectual property (IP) attorneys help their clients register their creations as trademarks or patents. IP lawyers offer legal advice on how to apply for and maintain patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other licenses that denote intellectual property ownership. If their clients’ intellectual property is violated, IP attorneys also help clients apply for patents, trademarks, and copyrights and support them in defending these assets in court.
#7. Bankruptcy lawyer
Average salary: $125,048 per year
Bankruptcy lawyers prepare and submit proofs of claims on behalf of their clients, which are usually businesses declaring bankruptcy, at government offices, businesses, and lending establishments. They assist in preparing financial records, claim applications, and other paperwork for bankruptcy cases and are knowledgeable about financial rules and regulations about bankruptcy claims. In addition, they evaluate a company’s financial data and forecast its earnings, including future and current earnings, as well as the best kind of bankruptcy for the customer.
#8. Family lawyer
Average salary: $128,809 per year
Family lawyers handle problems involving social services, adoption, divorce, child custody, taxes, and finance. They frequently arrange meetings and interviews with clients, gather paperwork from parties to domestic conflicts, and arrange paperwork and records related to divorce or child custody issues. In court, family lawyers may present their cases to a judge for consideration.
#9. Tax attorney
Average salary: $134,322 per year
Tax attorneys assist their clients in navigating tax difficulties and staying by the law. They are specialists in tax law. In addition to researching tax laws and drafting legal paperwork, a tax attorney can assist clients in addressing legal matters on taxes, such as unfiled returns. They can also negotiate agreements with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on behalf of their clients and represent them in court when necessary.
#10. Corporate attorney
Average salary: $137,364 per year
Corporate lawyers represent and collaborate with big businesses. They are in charge of creating contracts, organizing commercial transactions, negotiating business agreements, and making sure that rules, regulations, and legal compliance are clear and consistent. Corporate attorneys ensure that businesses operate under applicable rules and regulations and that the adoption of specific business practices complies with applicable legal requirements.
Salaries of Lawyers by State
| State | Median Salary |
| National | $127,990 |
| Alabama | $110,730 |
| Alaska | $103,680 |
| Arizona | $102,390 |
| Arkansas | $80,750 |
| California | $162,700 |
| Colorado | $126,990 |
| Connecticut | $132,300 |
| Delaware | $157,610 (2016 Average) |
| District of Columbia | $172,490 |
| Florida | $100,420 |
| Georgia | $103,750 |
| Hawaii | $99,880 |
| Idaho | $80,860 |
| Illinois | $129,090 |
| Indiana | $101,110 |
| Iowa | $98,870 |
| Kansas | $91,090 |
| State | Median Salary |
| Kentucky | $82,150 |
| Louisiana | $99,490 |
| Maine | $80,450 |
| Maryland | $126,360 |
| Massachusetts | $153,570 |
| Michigan | $101,190 |
| Minnesota | $124,560 |
| Mississippi | $80,650 |
| Missouri | $103,750 |
| Montana | $80,750 |
| Nebraska | $98,870 |
| Nevada | $128,370 |
| New Hampshire | $98,820 |
| New Jersey | $132,660 |
| New Mexico | $90,000 |
| New York | $164,180 |
| North Carolina | $105,140 |
| North Dakota | $95,840 |
| State | Median Salary |
| Ohio | $102,290 |
| Oklahoma | $94,250 |
| Oregon | $128,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $121,060 |
| Rhode Island | $151,300 |
| South Carolina | $95,400 |
| South Dakota | $81,240 |
| Tennessee | $101,270 |
| Texas | $131,150 |
| Utah | $104,100 |
| Vermont | $78,480 |
| Virginia | $131,520 |
| Washington | $127,660 |
| West Virginia | $98,870 |
| Wisconsin | $115,340 |
| Wyoming | $77,010 |
| Guam | $103,010 |
| Puerto Rico | $58,660 |
Source: Biglaw Investor, Forbes
Factors that determine the salary of a lawyer?
#1. Big Law Firms
It should come as no surprise that some of the top-paid lawyers are those who work for Big Law. Smaller firms are unable to compete with the resources and quality assurance of large law firms. Big law establishes a baseline where long hours and high standards are the norm with higher-paying customers.
#2. Which educational institution did you attend?
The law school you attended has a big impact on how much money you make in the future. This is because large legal companies hire people from well-regarded universities.
Big law firms often use top-25 colleges as a casting call. These companies are always looking to hire the finest and brightest, and more esteemed educational institutions provide excellent instruction.
This is the outcome of having entry requirements that are more competitive and demanding. It follows that the majority of highly compensated attorneys attended prestigious universities.
#3. Experience
Your chances of becoming a high-earning lawyer increase with the number of years of experience you accumulate.
Experienced attorneys are just better knowledgeable in their industry, aside from large law prospects. Many legal specialties call for extremely specialized or specialized knowledge. More seasoned attorneys are better equipped to handle a wider range of cases from several perspectives and with more depth.
#4. Where do you practice?
There are clear variations between states and even cities, but these factors are also somewhat entwined—for example, Biglaw jobs are in major cities like New York.
#5. The type of law you practice
The kind of law you practice will have a big influence on your pay. Certain categories of attorneys earn far more than others, as you can see on this PayScale list of median attorney incomes (including commissions, profit-sharing, and bonuses):
How can a lawyer make $500k a year?
Yes, a layer can make $500k per year but this depends on the client you work for and your area of expertise. Lawyers who focus on corporate law, collaborate closely with businesses to resolve legal disputes, or create contracts for agreements might make more money than attorneys who represent smaller clients.
What do the top lawyers in NYC make?
In New York, a big law attorney makes, on average, $103,604 annually. In case you require a basic wage calculator, that comes to about $49.81 per hour. This is the same as $8,633/month or $1,992/week.
Is there a billionaire lawyer?
Charlie Munger
With an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion, Munger is the richest lawyer in the world. He has a sizable fortune and is a Harvard Law School graduate. In the financial sector, he is most recognized for being Berkshire Hathaway’s partner with Warren Buffet, the fifth richest man in the world.
Do top lawyers make millions?
Although top partners at prestigious companies can earn several million dollars annually, the truth is that relatively few attorneys make seven figures in a year. Most levels of lawyer remuneration look like this: Affiliates: between $100,000 and $200,000. $150,000 to $300,000 for senior colleagues.
What type of lawyer is most in demand?
Lawyers such as corporate lawyers, real estate lawyers, immigration lawyers, family lawyers, and intellectual property lawyers are among the most in-demand across the board. Intellectual property law, data privacy and cybersecurity law, litigation, and labor and employment law are some other rapidly expanding legal fields.
Which type of lawyer is best?
Civil litigation is the kind of law where extreme patience and meticulous attention to detail are required. Because complex litigation involves high-stakes corporate cases and numerous court filings, it is one of the more lucrative specializations. This path can be for you if you enjoy working toward a sizably huge payout because the cases might be lengthy.
Who is the lowest-paid lawyer?
Lawyers representing the public interest and those employed by nonprofit institutions usually earn the least money. These attorneys may earn less money than attorneys in private practice or those employed by big businesses because they frequently serve underprivileged communities.
How rich is the average lawyer?
The majority of attorneys are not wealthy. However, their income is nearly three times that of the typical American.
In What State Do Lawyers Make the Most Money?
Larger cities are typically home to the states that pay lawyers the highest salaries. Aspiring lawyers can find some of the best wages in places like New York and Los Angeles. San Francisco and Chicago are also on this list. Generally speaking, lawyers who make the most money work in metropolitan settings.
Conclusion
Even though some of the most lucrative legal specialties might not be exactly what you’re interested in, there is enough variation in the industry to guarantee respectable compensation even in these less lucrative specializations.
Prioritizing your education and aiming for academic brilliance makes sense if you’re just starting to plan your career and want to make the most money possible.
If you want to work for a large legal firm and get paid a huge salary, you will have to outperform other candidates for the same job. The three best ways to guarantee that you become a high-earning lawyer are to work in a big law firm, attend a prestigious school, and gain some years of experience.
A high-earning lawyer’s career may not be for everyone. But if you’re passionate and persistent about it, you’ll succeed for sure!
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