Overview Salaries

General Counsel Salaries

Updated on Oct 10, 2026
Position
Salary

How much does a General Counsel make?

The average salary for a General Counsel is $193,363 per year in the US.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for General Counsel positions, showing an average salary of $193,363 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for General Counsel positions, showing an average salary of $193,363 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for General Counsel positions, showing an average salary of $193,363 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for General Counsel positions, showing an average salary of $193,363 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Becoming a General Counsel can lead to a rewarding career with competitive pay. This role often requires extensive legal experience and strong leadership skills. Most General Counsels earn a yearly salary between $90,000 and $400,000.


On average, General Counsels make around $193,000 per year. Here is a closer look at the salary distribution:

  • The lowest 10% earn less than $90,000.
  • The next 10% earn between $90,000 and $118,000.
  • The next 10% earn between $118,000 and $146,000.
  • The next 20% earn between $146,000 and $174,000.
  • The next 20% earn between $174,000 and $203,000.
  • The next 10% earn between $203,000 and $231,000.
  • The next 10% earn between $231,000 and $259,000.
  • The next 5% earn between $259,000 and $287,000.
  • The next 2% earn between $287,000 and $315,000.
  • The next 1% earn between $315,000 and $344,000.
  • The top 1% earn over $344,000.
Pursuing a career as a General Counsel can offer a lucrative salary and many opportunities for professional growth.

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What are the highest paying cities for a General Counsel?

Stamford, CT, leads the pack for highest-paying General Counsel positions, offering an average salary of $245,789. Following closely behind is San Francisco, CA, where General Counsel can expect to earn around $242,789 per year. Sacramento, CA, also offers competitive salaries, averaging $231,817 for General Counsel roles. Los Angeles, CA, and Boulder, CO, provide General Counsel with strong earning potential, with average salaries of $227,620 and $227,098, respectively. Major cities like Albany, NY, San Jose, CA, Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, and Tallahassee, FL, all offer attractive salaries, ranging from $226,174 to $220,251. These cities provide excellent opportunities for General Counsel to excel in their careers while enjoying competitive compensation.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for General Counsel jobs, highlighting Stamford, CT with the highest at $245,789 and Tallahassee, FL with the lowest at $220,251.

  1. Stamford, CT
    Average Salary: $245,789
    In Stamford, a legal role offers a mix of corporate and government work. Companies like NBCUniversal and Charter Communications present opportunities for skilled attorneys. The city’s vibrant business environment makes it a great place for legal professionals.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Stamford, CT


  2. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $242,789
    Working in San Francisco means being part of a tech hub. Major firms like Salesforce and Slack need legal experts. The city’s diverse legal landscape provides a dynamic environment for growth and learning.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Sacramento, CA
    Average Salary: $231,817
    Sacramento offers a unique blend of state government and private sector jobs. Attorneys can find roles in government agencies or with companies like Blue Shield of California. The capital city provides a stable and impactful legal career.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Sacramento, CA


  4. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $227,620
    Los Angeles is a city of opportunities with major firms such as Disney and Amazon. Attorneys work on a wide range of cases, from entertainment to tech. The city's diverse population makes for a rich legal practice.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  5. Boulder, CO
    Average Salary: $227,098
    Boulder's legal field offers a mix of environmental and tech law. Companies like Google and Boulder Democracy provide unique challenges. The laid-back lifestyle makes it a great place for work-life balance.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Boulder, CO


  6. Albany, NY
    Average Salary: $226,174
    Albany offers a focus on government law with opportunities in both state agencies and private firms. Companies like MVP Health Care need skilled legal professionals. The city's rich history in law makes it a compelling choice for attorneys.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Albany, NY


  7. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $225,823
    In San Jose, the tech industry drives demand for legal talent. Firms like PayPal and Cisco Systems need attorneys. The fast-paced environment offers many opportunities for career growth.
    Find General Counsel jobs in San Jose, CA


  8. Baltimore, MD
    Average Salary: $225,282
    Baltimore provides a mix of healthcare and government legal roles. Companies like Johns Hopkins and Black & Decker need legal expertise. The city's diverse culture and historic charm make it an interesting place to work.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Baltimore, MD


  9. Washington, DC
    Average Salary: $222,118
    Washington, DC, offers a mix of government and private sector opportunities. Agencies like the FBI and private firms like Morgan Lewis need legal talent. The city's political environment provides a unique legal landscape.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Washington, DC


  10. Tallahassee, FL
    Average Salary: $220,251
    Tallahassee focuses on government and education law. Companies like Florida State University need skilled attorneys. The city’s small-town feel and vibrant legal community make it a great place to build a career.
    Find General Counsel jobs in Tallahassee, FL

What are the best companies a General Counsel can work for?

Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, and Offit Kurman lead the way in offering the highest salaries for General Counsel roles. These companies recognize the importance of legal expertise and reward it generously. A role with any of these firms can provide not only top-tier compensation but also valuable experience and professional growth opportunities. Snowflake, Google, and Leoforce also stand out with competitive packages that reflect their industry status. These companies value strong legal guidance and often provide additional benefits and growth potential. Job seekers aiming for a lucrative and fulfilling career in general counsel will find these firms attractive.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for General Counsel jobs, highlighting Honeywell with the highest at $281,708 and Salesforce with the lowest at $242,271.

  1. Honeywell
    Average Salary: $281,708
    Honeywell offers rewarding General Counsel positions. With operations across the globe, they manage complex legal issues for a diverse range of products and services. Locations include the United States, Europe, and Asia.


  2. Northrop Grumman
    Average Salary: $268,548
    At Northrop Grumman, General Counsel roles are highly sought after. They provide legal guidance for defense and aerospace projects. This global company operates in key areas like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.


  3. Offit Kurman
    Average Salary: $258,182
    Offit Kurman offers competitive General Counsel positions. They handle a wide array of legal matters, particularly in the health care and technology sectors. They are based in the United States, with offices in New York and Los Angeles.


  4. Leoforce
    Average Salary: $257,368
    Leoforce provides excellent opportunities for General Counsel. They focus on financial services, offering robust legal support. Their operations are mainly in the United States, with significant presence in New York and San Francisco.


  5. Google
    Average Salary: $255,863
    Google offers dynamic General Counsel positions. They manage legal challenges in technology and innovation. With global operations, Google has major offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia.


  6. Snowflake
    Average Salary: $251,045
    Snowflake provides high-paying General Counsel roles. They focus on data analytics and cloud services, offering legal support for complex technology projects. They operate primarily in the United States, with offices in San Francisco and New York.


  7. Providence
    Average Salary: $250,140
    Providence offers rewarding General Counsel positions in the health care sector. They manage legal issues related to patient care and medical services. Providence operates in the United States with significant locations in Oregon and Rhode Island.


  8. AbbVie
    Average Salary: $244,417
    AbbVie provides competitive General Counsel positions. They focus on pharmaceuticals, managing legal matters related to drug development. With operations in the United States and Europe, they have key locations in Illinois and California.


  9. Meta
    Average Salary: $243,406
    Meta offers dynamic General Counsel roles in the tech industry. They manage legal challenges related to social media and digital services. Their global presence includes major offices in the United States and Europe.


  10. Salesforce
    Average Salary: $242,271
    Salesforce provides strong General Counsel positions in the tech sector. They handle legal issues related to cloud computing and customer relationship management. They operate globally, with key offices in the United States and Europe.

How to earn more as a General Counsel?

A General Counsel plays a key role in advising companies on legal matters. This important job can also lead to a higher salary with the right strategies. One way to earn more is to gain experience in different areas of law. Having a broad legal background makes a General Counsel more valuable.

Another important factor is to specialize in a high-demand area. Fields like technology law or intellectual property often offer higher pay. Building a strong network also helps. Connecting with other legal professionals can lead to better job opportunities. Attending conferences and joining professional organizations can be very helpful. Staying current with legal trends and technologies also boosts earning potential. Using new tools and methods makes a General Counsel more effective and attractive to employers.

Here are five factors to consider for earning more as a General Counsel:

  1. Gain experience in different legal areas.
  2. Specialize in high-demand fields.
  3. Build a strong professional network.
  4. Stay updated with legal trends and technologies.
  5. Attend conferences and join professional organizations.

Currently 541 General Counsel job openings, nationwide.

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

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