Position
Salary

How much does a Counsel make?

The average salary for a Counsel is $159,421 per year in the US.

Counsels play a key role in various industries, helping businesses navigate legal matters. This role comes with a competitive salary. On average, Counsels earn around $159,421 a year. This number can change based on experience, location, and the company. For those new to the field, salaries start at around $38,201. As Counsels gain more experience, their earnings can rise significantly, reaching up to $303,000 annually.


Understanding the salary range can help job seekers set realistic goals. Here is a breakdown of how salaries grow with experience:

  • Early career Counsels earn about $38,201 to $62,274.
  • Mid-career Counsels earn between $86,346 and $110,419.
  • Experienced Counsels earn from $134,491 to $182,637.
  • Senior-level Counsels can make $206,709 to $303,000.
This range shows that with time and expertise, Counsels can achieve higher salaries.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Counsel?

If you're a Counsel seeking top pay, consider looking at Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both cities offer average salaries over $200,000. Other cities, such as San Jose, Washington, DC, and San Diego, also provide strong compensation packages for Counsel jobs. Locations like Chicago, Seattle, and Sacramento also offer good pay for Counsel jobs. Columbia, Pittsburgh, and Sacramento may not reach the highest levels of Los Angeles or San Francisco, but they still offer competitive salaries. Each of these cities provides opportunities for Counsels to earn a solid income in their chosen field.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Counsel jobs, highlighting Los Angeles, CA with the highest at $212,564 and Pittsburgh, PA with the lowest at $158,286.
  1. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $212,564
    In Los Angeles, legal professionals often work with top law firms and entertainment companies. The city offers diverse opportunities in intellectual property and corporate law. The vibrant business environment provides a dynamic setting for legal careers.
    Find Counsel jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  2. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $205,880
    San Francisco has a thriving legal scene with major tech firms like Google and Salesforce. Counsels here often handle complex cases in tech law and intellectual property. The city’s innovative spirit makes it an exciting place for legal work.
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  3. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $189,933
    San Jose is known for its Silicon Valley tech companies. Legal experts here work on cutting-edge tech law issues. The city offers a high-tech environment that provides numerous opportunities in intellectual property and tech litigation.
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  4. Washington, DC
    Average Salary: $184,782
    In Washington, DC, Counsels often engage with government and political law. Working here means dealing with federal regulations and significant cases. The city’s political influence offers a unique and impactful legal practice.
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  5. San Diego, CA
    Average Salary: $177,869
    San Diego offers a mix of tech and defense law opportunities. The city is home to major defense contractors and tech startups. Legal professionals here enjoy a balanced work environment with diverse industry options.
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  6. Chicago, IL
    Average Salary: $171,948
    Chicago’s legal market is rich with corporate law opportunities. Counsels work with major financial firms and corporations. The city’s historic legal heritage provides a robust and dynamic career setting.
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  7. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $167,886
    Seattle is known for its tech industry and strong legal presence. Counsels here often work with tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon. The city’s vibrant culture makes it an attractive place for legal professionals.
    Find Counsel jobs in Seattle, WA


  8. Columbia, MO
    Average Salary: $164,140
    Columbia offers a smaller but growing legal market. Counsels here often engage in corporate and civil litigation. The city’s academic environment provides a unique setting for legal practice.
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  9. Sacramento, CA
    Average Salary: $162,355
    Sacramento’s legal market focuses on government and public policy. Counsels often work on legislative issues and regulatory compliance. The city’s political environment offers a distinct legal practice experience.
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  10. Pittsburgh, PA
    Average Salary: $158,286
    Pittsburgh provides a mix of industrial and legal opportunities. Counsels often work with manufacturing and healthcare firms. The city’s industrial base offers a unique legal practice environment.
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What are the best companies a Counsel can work for?

Companies like Netflix and KPMG lead the way in offering high salaries for counsel jobs. With an average salary of around $400,909 at Netflix and $303,000 at KPMG, these companies attract top talent. Other notable firms, such as OpenAI and Waymo, also provide competitive compensation packages. These leading companies recognize the value of skilled counsel and reward their employees with generous pay. Jackson Lewis, Norton Rose Fulbright, ByteDance, TikTok, TEEMA, and Apple are among the other employers offering attractive salaries for this profession. By securing a role with one of these companies, job seekers can expect to enjoy financial stability and professional growth.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Counsel jobs, highlighting Netflix with the highest at $400,909 and Apple with the lowest at $242,413.
  1. Netflix
    Average Salary: $400,909
    Netflix offers exciting Counsel roles, focusing on media law and intellectual property. They have offices in many places, including Los Gatos, California, and around the globe.


  2. KPMG
    Average Salary: $303,000
    KPMG provides Counsel positions that deal with tax, regulatory, and compliance matters. They operate in many cities across the United States and around the world.


  3. OpenAI
    Average Salary: $288,929
    At OpenAI, Counsel roles focus on privacy, ethical AI, and intellectual property. They have offices in San Francisco and other key tech hubs.


  4. Waymo
    Average Salary: $274,313
    Waymo offers Counsel roles that deal with autonomous vehicle laws and tech ethics. They operate in Mountain View, California, and other locations.


  5. Jackson Lewis
    Average Salary: $261,491
    Jackson Lewis offers Counsel roles in labor and employment law. They have offices in many cities across the United States.


  6. Norton Rose Fulbright
    Average Salary: $252,467
    Norton Rose Fulbright provides Counsel roles focusing on corporate law and litigation. They operate in many locations worldwide.


  7. ByteDance
    Average Salary: $250,375
    ByteDance offers Counsel roles that focus on tech and media law. They have offices in Beijing and other key global cities.


  8. TikTok
    Average Salary: $245,762
    TikTok offers Counsel roles dealing with data privacy and intellectual property. They have offices in Los Angeles, California, and other global locations.


  9. TEEMA
    Average Salary: $245,735
    TEEMA offers Counsel roles in media and tech law. They operate in many places, including Dallas, Texas, and other key areas.


  10. Apple
    Average Salary: $242,413
    Apple provides Counsel roles focusing on intellectual property, privacy, and corporate law. They have offices in Cupertino, California, and many other places.

How to earn more as a Counsel?

To increase earnings as a Counsel, focus on several key factors. Specialization can lead to higher demand and pay. Specialized counsel often command higher fees due to their expertise in a specific area of law. Continuing education and obtaining certifications can enhance knowledge and skills. These add value and often lead to higher-paying positions.

Networking and building a strong professional reputation can also lead to more lucrative opportunities. Active participation in legal communities and professional organizations can open doors to higher-paying roles. Experience plays a crucial role, with seasoned Counsel typically earning more than those just starting out. Experience brings a deeper understanding of legal matters and more successful case outcomes. Negotiating skills are also important. Counsel who can effectively negotiate higher salaries and better contracts often earn more over time. Lastly, consider alternative work arrangements, such as freelance or part-time consulting. These options can sometimes offer higher rates per hour or project compared to traditional full-time positions.

By focusing on these factors, Counsel can significantly improve their earning potential.

  • Specialization
  • Continuing education and certifications
  • Networking and professional reputation
  • Experience
  • Negotiation skills

Currently 280 Counsel job openings, nationwide.

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.
Position
Overview
Counsel
280 Job Openings