How much does a Attorney make?
Attorneys can earn a good salary, often reflecting the complexity and responsibility of their work. The average yearly salary for attorneys is about $120,788. This means many attorneys earn a comfortable living. The salary can vary greatly based on where they work and their experience.
The salary for attorneys can depend on several factors. For example, those working in larger firms or urban areas usually earn more. Some attorneys who specialize in high-demand fields, like corporate law or patent law, also earn higher salaries. Experience matters too. New attorneys often earn less, but salaries increase with more years of practice. Top earners, especially those in executive roles, can make much more, up to $250,000 or more each year.
What are the highest paying cities for a Attorney?

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San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $166,982
In San Francisco, legal professionals enjoy a vibrant and dynamic work environment. With many tech companies, attorneys find plenty of opportunities to specialize in intellectual property and employment law. Major firms like Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati offer diverse cases.
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San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $166,807
San Jose is a tech hub where attorneys have many opportunities in tech law firms. With companies like Apple, Intel, and Cisco, the demand for skilled lawyers is high. The area offers dynamic legal challenges and a competitive salary.
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Los Angeles, CA
Average Salary: $155,137
Los Angeles provides a bustling legal scene with its entertainment industry. Attorneys in this city often work on cases involving film, music, and media law. Firms like O’Melveny & Myers and Latham & Watkins offer diverse legal opportunities.
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Washington, DC
Average Salary: $155,041
In Washington, DC, attorneys can find work in government and high-profile cases. The political environment offers specialized areas like regulatory law and public policy. Firms such as Hogan Lovells and Kirkland & Ellis are prominent here.
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Corpus Christi, TX
Average Salary: $147,987
Corpus Christi offers a balanced legal market with opportunities in both corporate and litigation law. The local economy relies on energy and maritime industries. Firms like Brennan, Manna & Diamond and Thompson & Knight provide diverse legal experiences.
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Santa Maria, CA
Average Salary: $147,358
Santa Maria provides a smaller but growing legal market. With agricultural and tourism industries, attorneys find work in real estate and family law. Local firms like Hansen & Doyle and D’Alessandro & Associates offer a solid starting point.
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Sacramento, CA
Average Salary: $145,801
Sacramento offers a mix of government and private practice opportunities. With the state capital here, many attorneys work on legislative issues. Firms such as Morrison & Foerster and Legal Aid Society of Northern California are well-regarded.
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San Diego, CA
Average Salary: $145,100
San Diego provides a strong legal market with a mix of corporate and environmental law. The presence of biotech and defense industries offers diverse cases. Large firms like Holland & Knight and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld are active here.
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Seattle, WA
Average Salary: $143,050
Seattle is a tech-driven city with many opportunities for attorneys in tech law. The presence of companies like Microsoft and Amazon provides unique legal challenges. Firms such as Davis Wright Tremaine and Lane Powell offer a dynamic work environment.
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Minneapolis, MN
Average Salary: $142,518
Minneapolis offers a strong legal market with opportunities in both corporate and litigation law. The presence of major companies like Target and U.S. Bancorp provides diverse legal work. Firms such as Dorsey & Whitney and Robins Kaplan are well-established.
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What are the best companies a Attorney can work for?

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Perkins Coie
Average Salary: $269,050
Perkins Coie offers challenging and rewarding Attorney roles. They have offices in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Attorneys here work on a wide range of cases, from corporate transactions to litigation.
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County of Santa Clara
Average Salary: $245,647
The County of Santa Clara provides diverse opportunities for Attorneys. Located in Silicon Valley, they offer roles in both public and private sectors. Attorneys here contribute to important legal cases and community services.
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Jettison
Average Salary: $219,950
Jettison is a leading tech law firm. They seek Attorneys who can handle complex tech-related legal issues. With offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, this company offers dynamic work environments.
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Trueline
Average Salary: $206,667
Trueline focuses on finance and technology law. Attorneys here work on regulatory issues and corporate matters. They have offices in San Francisco and New York, providing a range of exciting opportunities.
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Bank of America
Average Salary: $205,219
Bank of America offers extensive legal opportunities for Attorneys. They handle banking, finance, and compliance issues. With locations across the country, there are many places to work and grow your career.
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Thomas J. Henry Law, PLLC
Average Salary: $196,812
Thomas J. Henry Law, PLLC specializes in personal injury and civil litigation. They offer dynamic roles for Attorneys in Houston, Texas. This firm is known for its strong client advocacy and support.
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Boutique Recruiting
Average Salary: $192,105
Boutique Recruiting helps place Attorneys in top firms. They offer roles with competitive salaries and benefits. Locations vary, but their focus remains on matching attorneys with the right firms.
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Law Offices of Jacob Emrani
Average Salary: $190,000
The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani focuses on personal injury law. They offer rewarding positions for Attorneys in Houston, Texas. This firm is known for its dedication to client service and strong legal advocacy.
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USAA
Average Salary: $188,849
USAA offers unique opportunities for Attorneys in the financial services sector. They focus on military-related legal matters. With locations across the country, there are many places to contribute and grow.
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Latitude
Average Salary: $186,426
Latitude provides technology-focused legal services. They offer diverse roles for Attorneys in Silicon Valley. This firm is known for its innovative approach and strong industry connections.
How to earn more as a Attorney?
Attorneys can find ways to increase their earnings by focusing on several key areas. Specialization often leads to higher pay. Attorneys who focus on areas like corporate law, intellectual property, or patent law may command higher fees. Building a strong reputation and gaining expertise in these fields can lead to more lucrative opportunities. Another factor is location. Attorneys in big cities or areas with high costs of living often earn more. Urban areas tend to have larger firms and more complex cases, which can mean higher earnings.
Networking and client relationships also play a crucial role. Attorneys who build strong connections with clients and other legal professionals often find more job opportunities. Attending conferences, joining professional organizations, and engaging on social media can help create valuable relationships. Experience matters too. The more cases an attorney handles, the more skilled they become. Experienced attorneys often earn higher salaries and can negotiate better fees. Finally, taking on leadership roles can boost income. Attorneys who become partners in a firm or start their own practice can earn significantly more.
Consider these factors when looking to increase earnings as an attorney. Specialization, location, networking, experience, and leadership roles can all help to boost income.
- Specialization: Focus on a specific area of law to command higher fees.
- Location: Work in big cities or high-cost areas for higher pay.
- Networking: Build strong connections with clients and other professionals.
- Experience: The more cases handled, the higher the potential earnings.
- Leadership Roles: Taking on roles like partner or starting a practice can increase income.



