The salary of a Lawyer I in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Lawyer I in the United States is $99,890. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $87,190 to $109,990, with most professionals earning between $75,627 and $119,186.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $109,990 | $9,166 | $2,115 | $53 |
| Average | $99,890 | $8,324 | $1,921 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,190 | $7,266 | $1,677 | $42 |
An entry-level Lawyer I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $98,942. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $99,890. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $101,699. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $102,905, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $103,206.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lawyer I | $98,942 |
| Intermediate Level Lawyer I | $99,890 |
| Senior Level Lawyer I | $101,699 |
| Specialist Level Lawyer I | $102,905 |
| Expert Level Lawyer I | $103,206 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 3% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Lawyer I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $113,170 in 2023 to approximately $112,737 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Lawyer I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Lawyer I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Lawyer I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Lawyer I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $99,890 | 71.5% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $7,642 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,195 | 3.0% | ||
| Disability | $1,998 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 6.0% | ||
| Pension | $5,394 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $12,294 | 8.8% | ||
| Total Compensation | $139,765 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 0.4% |
| Associates | 0.1% |
| Bachelors | 1.8% |
| Masters | 2.9% |
| Doctorate | 94.6% |
What Am I Worth?
The states that pay lawyers the highest mean salaries include the District of Columbia, California, Delaware, New York, and Connecticut. However, based on the provided salary data, lawyers can expect a minimum salary of $89,490, a mid-range salary of $104,090, and a maximum salary of $120,590.
Lawyers in the USA earn between $89,490 and $120,590 annually, with a median salary of $104,090. This translates to a monthly pay range of approximately $7,457 to $10,049. The salary can vary significantly based on experience, location, and specialization within the legal field.
Although most lawyers have a regular 40-hour week, many work more. Lawyers at large firms often log around 66 hours weekly, while those in small to medium firms typically work between 42 to 54 hours. With salaries ranging from $89,490 to $120,590, the demanding hours reflect the commitment required in the legal profession.
Lawyers can earn substantial salaries, but reaching 7 figures is rare. Based on current data, the minimum salary for lawyers is approximately $89,490, with a mid-range salary of about $104,090 and a maximum of around $120,590. While some top lawyers may earn significantly more, only a small percentage achieve 7-figure incomes.
In summary, law school is challenging, often more so than regular colleges, due to its intense stress, heavy workload, and high commitment levels. However, with dedication, many succeed; around 40,000 graduates emerge annually. The effort can lead to a rewarding career, with salaries ranging from $89,490 to $120,590, reflecting the value of this demanding education.
Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyers are among the highest-paid, with salaries ranging from $89,490 to $120,590, reflecting their specialized knowledge. Other lucrative fields include Tax Attorneys, Trial Attorneys, Medical Lawyers, Patent Attorneys, Corporate Lawyers, Real Estate Lawyers, and Family Lawyers, all of which command competitive salaries within this range.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
