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How Much Do Lawyers Earn? Average Salaries by Legal Practice Area

Becoming an attorney requires years of rigorous education, substantial financial investment, and a deep commitment to the legal profession. While passion for the law is often a driving force, salary potential is also a crucial factor for many lawyers when choosing a practice area. However, not all legal specialties offer the same financial rewards.

Below, we break down the average base salaries of attorneys across various practice areas. Keep in mind that these figures represent base salaries and do not account for bonuses, profit-sharing, or other compensation perks.

Understanding Earnings Across Various Legal Specialties

Salary, does not include other benefits:

  • Corporate – $176,178
  • Inhouse – $164,186
  • Government – $157,389
  • Prosecutor – $155,735
  • Contract – $151,667
  • Intellectual Property – $148,803
  • Tax – $141,770
  • Judge – $141,447
  • Civil Rights – $125,124
  • Litigation – $123,976
  • Family – $122,102
  • Bankruptcy – $122,003
  • Environmental – $118,889
  • Public Interest – $118,683
  • Worker’s Compensation – $108,240
  • Real Estate – $98,111
  • Criminal Defense – $97,424
  • Insurance Defense – $97,424
  • Personal Injury – $96,797
  • Estate Planning – $90,864
  • Immigration – $76,926
  • Public Defender – $60,742


Understanding the Salary Disparities in Law

The wide range of salaries across legal specialties can be attributed to factors such as the complexity of the practice area, client demand, and geographic location. High-paying areas like corporate law and intellectual property often require additional expertise and serve clients with significant financial resources, whereas public defenders and immigration attorneys frequently work in publicly funded or lower-margin sectors.

For those considering a career move or law students deciding on a specialty, understanding these salary variations can help in making informed decisions about the future.

Additional Resources

For the latest attorney salary data, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics for verified salary insights.

Curious about how attorney salaries vary by state? Check out our detailed breakdown in Ranking Attorney Salaries by State.

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