What is the average salary for a first year lawyer? This is one of the most commonly asked questions on the web, so I decided to find out for myself.
The average salary for a first year lawyer is $55,000.
Average salary for a first year lawyer
The average salary for a first year lawyer
Average salary for a first year lawyer
Most lawyers start at around $60,000 per year. This can vary by location and other factors, but it’s a good ballpark figure to work with. Over time, as you gain experience and seniority (which is measured by practice area), your salary will increase accordingly. By the time you reach seventh year as an attorney—the final year of law school—your annual earnings may be close to $160,000!
If you’re pursuing the JD/MBA dual degree program, your average salary may actually exceed this figure because many companies will pay for your MBA tuition in exchange for signing on with them after graduation.
Median base salary for law firm associates in the U.S. 2016, by region (in U.S. dollars)
Median base salary for law firm associates in the U.S. 2016, by region (in U.S. dollars)
- $180,000: East Coast
- $150,000: West Coast
- $130,000: Midwest/Great Lakes region
Median base salary of law firm associates in the U.S., by law firm size 2016 (in U.S. dollars)
According to the American Bar Association, law firm associates make a median salary of $125,000 per year. However, this average doesn’t tell the whole story: salaries vary greatly depending on where you live and work.
Law firm associates in New York City earn the highest salaries in the country, with a median base pay of $190,000 annually—more than double the national average (and over three times what their counterparts on the West Coast make). And while those numbers may seem intimidating at first glance, don’t let them scare you away from pursuing your dreams! The ABA notes that this figure includes bonuses and other incentives like equity compensation plans.
Median base salary of law firm associates in the U.S. 2016, by gender (in U.S. dollars)
Salary: $160,000
Gender: Men
Law Firm Size: Big Law Firm (more than 500 lawyers)
Region: N/A
Conclusion
All this is to say, if you’re a recent law school grad, your salary will likely be between $40k and $200k—which may sound like a big range, but is actually quite tight compared to other professions. That said, there are many factors that go into the final number of your first year associate salary, so don’t expect to be able to predict it exactly. And of course, no matter how much or little money you end up making, remember that there are many other factors to consider when deciding which job offer is right for you.
