Overview Salaries

Counsel Salaries

Updated on Dec 10, 2025
Position
Salary

How much does a Counsel make?

The average salary for a Counsel is $156,679 per year in the US.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Counsel positions, showing an average salary of $156,679 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Counsel positions, showing an average salary of $156,679 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Counsel positions, showing an average salary of $156,679 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Counsel positions, showing an average salary of $156,679 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Counselors often find their work both rewarding and financially stable. The average yearly salary for a counselor stands at $156,679. This figure reflects a range of salaries, from entry-level to highly experienced positions. Counselors can expect to see their salaries increase as they gain more experience and expertise in their field.

The salary distribution for counselors shows a clear progression. The lowest 10% earn around $38,880, while the top 10% can make over $276,000. This wide range highlights the potential for growth and advancement in this career. Counselors who specialize in certain areas or work in high-demand locations may see even higher salaries. Factors like education, certifications, and work environment play a significant role in determining salary levels.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Counsel?

Counsel jobs offer lucrative opportunities in several cities. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose lead with the highest average salaries. These cities provide excellent prospects for those seeking top compensation in the legal field. Washington, DC, San Diego, and Chicago also offer competitive salaries for counsel positions. Seattle, Columbia, Sacramento, and Austin provide solid earning potential as well. These cities present a range of options for job seekers aiming for high pay.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Counsel jobs, highlighting Los Angeles, CA with the highest at $209,829 and Austin, TX with the lowest at $158,919.

  1. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $209,829
    Los Angeles offers a dynamic environment for legal professionals. The city is home to many major corporations, providing ample opportunities for those in the legal field. The entertainment industry also creates unique legal challenges and openings.
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  2. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $204,451
    San Francisco is a hub for tech companies, making it a prime location for tech law. The city's diverse business landscape offers varied legal opportunities. Working here means engaging with cutting-edge tech issues and high-profile cases.
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  3. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $188,212
    San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, is ideal for those in tech law. The city's booming tech industry offers many legal positions. Professionals here work with some of the world's largest tech companies.
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  4. Washington, DC
    Average Salary: $183,014
    Washington, DC, is a center for political and legal activity. The city offers many opportunities in government and public policy. Working here means being at the heart of national legal issues and policy-making.
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  5. San Diego, CA
    Average Salary: $175,025
    San Diego provides a balanced lifestyle with a strong legal market. The city's diverse economy offers various legal opportunities. The mild climate and beautiful surroundings make it an attractive place to work.
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  6. Chicago, IL
    Average Salary: $170,622
    Chicago is a major city for corporate law. The city's business environment is robust, offering many legal positions. Working here means dealing with significant corporate and financial law cases.
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  7. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $165,243
    Seattle is a tech and environmental law hotspot. The city's growing tech industry offers many legal opportunities. The focus on sustainability also creates unique legal challenges and roles.
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  8. Columbia, MO
    Average Salary: $164,140
    Columbia offers a smaller, community-focused legal market. The city is home to the University of Missouri, providing academic legal opportunities. Working here means a more intimate legal environment with strong community ties.
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  9. Sacramento, CA
    Average Salary: $161,511
    Sacramento is the political center of California, offering many government and public policy legal opportunities. The city's role in state governance provides unique legal challenges and positions.
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  10. Austin, TX
    Average Salary: $158,919
    Austin is a growing tech and startup hub. The city offers many legal opportunities in tech and innovation. The vibrant culture and live music scene make it an attractive place to live and work.
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What are the best companies a Counsel can work for?

KPMG, OpenAI, and Jackson Lewis offer some of the highest salaries for counsel jobs. KPMG leads with an average salary of $303,000, followed closely by OpenAI at $288,929. Jackson Lewis provides a competitive $259,259 average salary. These companies value legal expertise and offer attractive compensation packages.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Counsel jobs, highlighting KPMG with the highest at $303,000 and Google with the lowest at $222,972.

  1. KPMG
    Average Salary: $303,000
    KPMG offers Counsel jobs with a focus on providing audit, tax, and advisory services. KPMG operates globally, with offices in major cities around the world.


  2. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $288,929
    OpenAI provides Counsel jobs in the field of artificial intelligence. The company is based in San Francisco, California, and has offices in other key locations.


  3. Jackson Lewis
    Average Salary: $259,259
    Jackson Lewis offers Counsel jobs in employment law. The company operates in multiple locations across the United States, providing legal services to businesses.


  4. ByteDance
    Average Salary: $250,375
    ByteDance provides Counsel jobs in technology and media. The company is based in Beijing, China, with offices in various global locations.


  5. TEEMA
    Average Salary: $245,735
    TEEMA offers Counsel jobs in the environmental and energy sectors. The company operates in several locations, focusing on sustainability and regulatory compliance.


  6. Norton Rose Fulbright
    Average Salary: $243,794
    Norton Rose Fulbright provides Counsel jobs in various legal fields. The company operates in multiple countries, offering a wide range of legal services.


  7. Apple
    Average Salary: $243,147
    Apple offers Counsel jobs in technology and intellectual property. The company is headquartered in Cupertino, California, with offices in many other locations.


  8. TikTok
    Average Salary: $242,029
    TikTok provides Counsel jobs in social media and technology. The company is based in Los Angeles, California, with offices in various global locations.


  9. Tesla
    Average Salary: $226,027
    Tesla offers Counsel jobs in the automotive and energy sectors. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in several other locations.


  10. Google
    Average Salary: $222,972
    Google provides Counsel jobs in technology and internet services. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices in many other locations.

How to earn more as a Counsel?

Becoming a top-earning counsel involves a combination of skills, experience, and strategic career moves. Counsels who excel in their field often find themselves in higher-paying positions. They achieve this through a variety of means. One key factor is gaining specialized expertise in a niche area of law. This allows counsels to command higher fees for their services. Another important factor is building a strong professional reputation. Counsels who are well-regarded in their field often attract more lucrative job opportunities.

Experience and education also play a significant role in earning potential. Counsels with advanced degrees and years of experience typically earn more. Networking and maintaining relationships with industry leaders can open doors to higher-paying positions. Finally, seeking out leadership roles within firms or organizations can lead to increased earnings. Counsels who take on managerial or partner roles often see a significant increase in their salary. By focusing on these areas, counsels can position themselves for greater financial success.

Here are five factors that can help counsels earn more:

  1. Specialized expertise in a niche area of law
  2. Strong professional reputation
  3. Advanced degrees and years of experience
  4. Effective networking and relationship building
  5. Leadership roles within firms or organizations

Currently 361 Counsel job openings, nationwide.

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How's the job market for a Counsel in the US?

Learn what a Counsel does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Counsel today.
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Counsel
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