Lawyer Salary

It's difficult to pinpoint an exact number for the average salary earnings of a practicing lawyer, since the legal field is such a diverse field. Which field you choose to specialize in, as well as where you choose to practice law, can greatly impact your potential earnings
Average Lawyer Salaries

Another thing to keep in mind about the average salary for a lawyer is the fact that over 25% of the lawyers practicing today do so as self-employed attorneys, either through their own small practices or as partners in larger firms. Self-employed lawyers may be able to earn more outright through their hourly fees, but must also contend with self-employment taxes that go beyond those of traditional employees.

In 2006, the average annual salary of a lawyer was just over $100,000/year. The middle 50% of the lawyer salaries ranged from $70,000/year and $145,000/year, with even more diverse numbers on the lower and higher ends of the salary spectrum.
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With so many people graduating from law school every year, the competition to make it into a high-paying law firm is more intense than ever. The best way to maximize your earnings potential with your law degree is to specialize in a certain legal field and then carve out your niche in a company that needs that specific law degree.

The highest attorney salaries were those who went on to work in the management fields of different companies and enterprises – for example, lawyers providing legal counsel to manufacturing firms or electronics companies. The average salary of these lawyers was close to $130,000/year. However, it's important to note that there isn't always a legal tie-in to the work these lawyers are doing or how they are utilizing their law degree in their current positions.

The next highest group on the legal salary earnings spectrum is comprised of lawyers who work for the federal government and its legal services. These practicing lawyers averaged over $100,000/year, while lawyers who work for either their local or state governments were found at the lower end of the spectrum. In fact, these lawyers earned significantly less per year, with an average of just over $75,000/year. This disparity is enough to make prospective lawyers wonder what the difference between working for the federal government and the state government is – other than the nearly $45,000/year price difference.

The earning spread of those lawyers who are self-employed is far different and is primarily dependent on how long a lawyer has been practicing, what type of law they specialize in, and where the firm is located. For example, a private practice specializing in real estate and probate laws in rural areas isn't likely to have as much of an earnings potential as a medical malpractice firm in an urban area. Lawyers working in rural areas may encounter a resistance to legal interference that may significantly limit their available case load.

However, it's worth mentioning that these high salaries come with a heavy price tag. After spending an intense three years in law school, you may find yourself working long hours as a rookie lawyer. It's up to you to decide whether the joy you take from practicing law is enough to compensate for the physical and emotional stress you'll face when beginning your practice.