The staffing firm Robert Half Legal publishes an annual salary guide for workers in the legal profession. According to its 2021 guide, in-house corporate lawyers had the following salary ranges by years of experience in 2020: zero to three years of experience, $68,000 to $179,750; four to nine years, $81,000 to $202,000; ten or more years (in-house counsel), $120,750 to $268,500.
Salaries for attorneys at venture capital firms are usually higher—especially if they’re also partners and receive carry (which is a percentage of the profits the firm makes). At the largest firms, they can earn $5 million or more annually.
Lawyers also receive fringe benefits such as paid vacation and sick leave, health and life insurance, and a 401(k) or other retirement savings plan. Some receive performance bonuses.