How much does a Lawyer make in the United States?
-
The average Lawyer salary in the United States is $174,426 as of April 01, 2025. The range for our most popular Lawyer positions (listed below) typically falls between $79,049 and $269,804. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Lawyer's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Attorney I | $104,102 | $50.05 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
| Attorney II | $140,865 | $67.72 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
| Attorney III | $175,005 | $84.14 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
| Attorney IV | $193,392 | $92.98 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
| Attorney V | $217,983 | $104.80 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
| Attorney VI | $243,190 | $116.92 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
| Real Estate Attorney | $167,990 | $80.76 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
| Litigation Attorney I | $94,709 | $45.53 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
| Litigation Attorney II | $112,840 | $54.25 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
| Litigation Attorney III | $143,970 | $69.22 | United States | April 01, 2025 |
-
Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Attorney I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel I, Lawyer I, Attorney I
-
Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. View Attorney II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel II, Lawyer II, Attorney IICategory : Legal Services
-
Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Attorney III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel III, Lawyer III, Attorney IIICategory : Legal Services
-
Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Attorney IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel IV, Lawyer IV, Attorney IVCategory : Legal Services
-
Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. View Attorney V SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel V, Lawyer V, Attorney VCategory : Legal Services
-
Responsible for using specialized knowledge of national, state, and/or local laws to advise and represent clients and organizations in criminal or civil proceedings and other legal matters. Provides legal advice and counsel in support of business activities and transactions. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations and anticipated changes to laws to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Represents the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other matters where legal counsel is required. May have a billable hours requirement. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Typically requires 12+ years of related experience. Achievement and depth of knowledge of specialization or field is the main differentiator. Advisory role on complex and challenging projects and initiatives. Recognized for deep technical and industry knowledge and innovative thinking. Provides thought leadership and guidance to a functional area and the organization. View Attorney VI SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Counsel VI, Lawyer VI, Attorney VICategory : Legal Services
-
Handles all real estate related legal issues, including transfers of titles and deeds, construction, mortgage concerns, and zoning. Provides legal advice to an organization, prepares resolutions and forms, and participates in major legal actions. Requires a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Requires admittance to a state bar. Typically reports to the top legal executive/general counsel. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience. View Real Estate Attorney SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Real Estate and Contracts Attorney, Real Estate Lawyer, Real Estate Attorney
-
Responsible for representing clients in civil matters and managing all aspects of the litigation process. Conducts all phases of litigation for assigned cases including research, interviews, and investigation. Evaluates files to determine the degree of potential liability and damages. Handles pleadings, the pre-trial discovery process, trial, settlement, and appeal. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Tries jury and non-jury trials. May represent clients at arbitration and other legal proceedings. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Litigation Attorney I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Litigation Counsel I, Litigation Lawyer I, Litigation Attorney I
-
Responsible for representing clients in civil matters and managing all aspects of the litigation process. Conducts all phases of litigation for assigned cases including research, interviews, and investigation. Evaluates files to determine the degree of potential liability and damages. Handles pleadings, the pre-trial discovery process, trial, settlement, and appeal. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Tries jury and non-jury trials. May represent clients at arbitration and other legal proceedings. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. View Litigation Attorney II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Litigation Counsel II, Litigation Lawyer II, Litigation Attorney IICategory : Legal Services
-
Responsible for representing clients in civil matters and managing all aspects of the litigation process. Conducts all phases of litigation for assigned cases including research, interviews, and investigation. Evaluates files to determine the degree of potential liability and damages. Handles pleadings, the pre-trial discovery process, trial, settlement, and appeal. Researches and interprets existing laws and regulations to guide informed decisions and reduce risk. Prepares and reviews various agreements, contracts, and other legal documents. Tries jury and non-jury trials. May represent clients at arbitration and other legal proceedings. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Litigation Attorney III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Litigation Counsel III, Litigation Lawyer III, Litigation Attorney IIICategory : Legal Services