According to the National Association for Law Placement, in 2023, entry-level civil legal services lawyers earned about $64,200. Entry-level lawyers in public interest organizations earned $69,500 and public defenders earned $69,600 per year.
The U.S. Attorney’s Offices use an Administratively Determined Pay Plan salary structure, which is based on the amount of experience an individual has and other qualifications. Assistant U.S. attorneys with zero to two years of experience earned $62,107 to $105,581 in 2024, while those with five years of experience received salaries that ranged from $71,699 to $121,877.
Experienced lawyers earn salaries that vary depending on the type, size, and location of their employers. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that government lawyers earned the following mean annual salaries by level of government in May 2023:
- local government: $117,070
- state government: $100,670
- federal government: $166,030
Ten percent of all lawyers earned less than $69,760. High-profile defense attorneys can earn $1 million a year or more.
Criminal lawyers typically receive such benefits as vacation days, sick leave, health and life insurance, and a savings and pension program. Self-employed attorneys must provide their own benefits.
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