How Much Does a Lawyer Make? Here's how to calculate it
The salary of a lawyer can vary widely depending on various factors such as location, experience, specialization, the type of employer (law firm, government agency, corporate legal department, etc.), and the lawyer's reputation and success in their field. I'll provide you with a general overview of lawyer salaries and how they can be calculated.
 |
| How Much Does a Lawyer Make? |
According to data available up until 2023, the average annual salary for lawyers in the United States is around $126,930. However, it's important to note that this is an average figure, and individual salaries can be significantly higher or lower.
Factors that Determine the Amount of Lawyer Salary
The following are some of the factors that affect the salary or income of a lawyer. Read more below.
1. Experience Level
Generally, lawyers with more experience tend to earn higher salaries. As lawyers gain more expertise and build a reputation, they often attract higher-paying clients or may be promoted to higher positions within their organization.
2. Specialization
Lawyers specializing in specific areas of law, such as corporate law, intellectual property, or medical malpractice, often command higher salaries due to the complexity and demand for their expertise.
3. Location
The geographical location can have a significant impact on lawyer salaries. Major metropolitan areas or regions with a high cost of living generally offer higher salaries compared to smaller towns or rural areas.
4. Employer Type
Lawyers working in law firms, especially large and prestigious ones, may earn higher salaries compared to those employed in government agencies or non-profit organizations. Corporate lawyers working in big companies can also have higher earning potential.
5. Reputation and Success
Lawyers who have established a strong reputation in their field and have a track record of successful cases or deals can often charge higher fees and command higher salaries due to increased demand for their services.
Lawyer Salary Data in Each Country in the Previous Year
| Rank | State | 2018 Average Salary | 2017 Average Salary | 2016 Average Salary | 2015 Average Salary | 2014 Average Salary | 2013 Average Salary | 5-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $171,550 | $168,200 | $162,010 | $163,020 | $158,200 | $155,750 | 10.1 |
| 2 | New York | $167,110 | $165,260 | $161,260 | $155,050 | $154,340 | $153,490 | 8.9 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $165,610 | $157,450 | $158,760 | $152,990 | $144,030 | $134,380 | 23.2 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $153,640 | $152,540 | $151,540 | $147,100 | $140,040 | $139,920 | 9.8 |
| 5 | Illinois | $152,980 | $140,920 | $129,070 | $125,920 | $124,680 | $132,910 | 15.1 |
| 6 | Texas | $150,250 | $145,800 | $149,400 | $143,490 | $141,240 | $134,200 | 12 |
| 7 | Colorado | $147,560 | $141,200 | $138,130 | $135,880 | $130,620 | $136,120 | 8.4 |
| 8 | Arizona | $145,750 | $138,680 | $130,630 | $125,660 | $117,380 | $131,200 | 11.1 |
| 9 | Virginia | $139,180 | $136,790 | $139,050 | $135,180 | $131,320 | $129,800 | 7.2 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $139,020 | $140,340 | $144,190 | $145,970 | $140,770 | $133,330 | 4.3 |
| 11 | Nevada | $138,920 | $138,850 | $134,440 | $120,360 | $123,850 | $122,770 | 13.2 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $138,610 | $139,050 | $134,600 | $131,090 | $129,460 | $134,250 | 3.2 |
| 13 | Washington | $136,480 | $129,220 | $126,900 | $124,000 | $120,740 | $119,900 | 13.8 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $130,450 | $123,600 | $111,080 | $101,990 | $101,980 | $105,080 | 24.1 |
| 15 | North Carolina | $129,990 | $137,200 | $138,470 | $123,940 | $118,310 | $114,840 | 13.2 |
| 16 | Georgia | $128,930 | $136,190 | $133,030 | $130,710 | $132,540 | $137,280 | -6.1 |
| 17 | Florida | $128,920 | $127,730 | $131,990 | $128,050 | $122,020 | $123,040 | 4.8 |
| 18 | Maryland | $128,340 | $126,480 | $123,220 | $121,530 | $126,060 | $127,040 | 1 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $125,890 | $119,650 | $115,410 | $114,470 | $111,050 | $112,710 | 11.7 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $125,330 | $129,410 | $131,430 | $129,100 | $119,010 | $99,010 | 26.6 |
| 21 | Tennessee | $124,470 | $129,830 | $127,700 | $125,530 | $113,580 | $108,240 | 15 |
| 22 | Alaska | $121,680 | $122,870 | $123,770 | $121,910 | $117,910 | $120,500 | 1 |
| 23 | Ohio | $121,520 | $113,610 | $113,400 | $113,360 | $113,200 | $108,950 | 11.5 |
| 24 | Oregon | $119,500 | $117,810 | $114,730 | $117,800 | $114,870 | $111,640 | 7 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $119,330 | $124,230 | $133,390 | $128,320 | $128,290 | $126,520 | -5.7 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $118,790 | $115,260 | $123,510 | $116,900 | $112,520 | $101,310 | 17.3 |
| 27 | Alabama | $117,100 | $117,640 | $118,420 | $114,820 | $113,010 | $106,790 | 9.7 |
| 28 | Missouri | $113,780 | $115,520 | $116,060 | $114,480 | $121,500 | $116,190 | -2.1 |
| 29 | Indiana | $113,360 | $113,850 | $114,270 | $110,240 | $103,010 | $99,230 | 14.2 |
| 30 | Iowa | $112,630 | $113,470 | $108,660 | $106,820 | $106,080 | $106,920 | 5.3 |
| 31 | Utah | $112,380 | $109,280 | $108,670 | $113,550 | $118,910 | $115,930 | -3.1 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $111,290 | $113,190 | $106,650 | $104,180 | $105,410 | $108,820 | 2.3 |
| 33 | Michigan | $110,180 | $112,740 | $110,760 | $110,920 | $116,710 | $114,460 | -3.7 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $109,070 | $100,000 | $101,360 | $96,580 | $98,360 | $99,650 | 9.5 |
| 35 | Kansas | $109,020 | $104,730 | $106,470 | $105,790 | $98,850 | $98,750 | 10.4 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $108,170 | $110,950 | $107,590 | $106,460 | $93,820 | $95,220 | 13.6 |
| 37 | Vermont | $107,490 | $105,900 | $103,970 | $106,610 | $101,620 | $98,580 | 9 |
| 38 | North Dakota | $107,290 | $97,680 | $102,660 | $101,840 | * | $90,850 | 18.1 |
| 39 | Maine | $107,120 | $102,040 | $106,270 | $99,260 | $100,720 | $93,940 | 14 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $105,910 | $99,510 | $97,100 | $91,430 | $96,520 | $98,150 | 7.9 |
| 41 | Wyoming | $105,600 | $98,090 | $112,710 | $102,130 | $103,290 | $89,280 | 18.3 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $105,490 | $101,170 | $105,740 | $111,240 | $113,830 | $110,760 | -4.8 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $105,320 | $104,300 | $107,230 | $109,250 | $113,760 | $108,790 | -3.2 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $100,100 | $95,890 | $93,020 | $93,560 | $92,090 | $90,200 | 11 |
| 45 | Idaho | $99,360 | $98,390 | $91,390 | $96,900 | $100,900 | $105,380 | -5.7 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $98,780 | $99,100 | $103,980 | $100,320 | $100,690 | $101,340 | -2.5 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $98,630 | $95,220 | $100,430 | $98,270 | $94,010 | $90,240 | 9.3 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $97,990 | $106,360 | $114,710 | $103,180 | $99,470 | $92,640 | 5.8 |
| 49 | Montana | $88,600 | $83,150 | $83,330 | $82,070 | $75,720 | $75,360 | 17.6 |
| N/A | Delaware | * | * | $157,610 | $152,330 | $145,940 | $152,490 | N/A |
Calculating a lawyer's salary
To calculate a lawyer's salary, you typically consider the following factors:
1. Determine the Base Salary
Start with the average base salary for lawyers in your specific region or the desired location. You can find this information through various salary surveys, job portals, or professional organizations.
2. Adjust for Experience
Consider the lawyer's experience level. Generally, each year of experience adds value to their expertise. Multiply the base salary by an experience multiplier to account for their experience level.
3. Consider Specialization
If the lawyer specializes in a particular area of law, research the average salary range for that specialization and adjust the calculated salary accordingly.
4. Account for Location
If the lawyer practices in a high-cost-of-living area, you may need to adjust the salary upwards to account for the higher expenses associated with living in that region.
5. Assess Reputation and Success
Lawyers with an excellent reputation and a history of successful cases or deals may have the ability to charge premium fees. Consider this factor to adjust the calculated salary.
It's important to note that these steps provide a general framework, and actual salaries can deviate significantly based on individual circumstances and market conditions. Consulting reputable salary surveys or resources specific to your region and legal field will provide more accurate and up-to-date information for calculating lawyer salaries.