Judge
Median wage · national
$153,990
Range: $86K – $195K
Employed
24K
Openings/yr
900
Typically: doctoral or professional degree
BUSINESS
Lawyer
With a national median of $159,670 and +4.1% projected job growth through 2034, Lawyer offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
About Lawyer
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
- Median Wage
- $159,670
- Employed Nationally
- 755K
- Openings / Year
- 31,500
- Entry Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Admiralty Lawyer
Agency Legal Counsel
Attorney
Attorney at Law
Attorney General
How Much Do Lawyers Make?
Lawyer earn $159,670 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $102,990 and $221,370. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$159,670
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$103K–$221K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$102,990
Entry-level
$159,670
Median
$221,370
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $185,840, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Lawyers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Lawyer roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Writing
Who Thrives Here
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Where Do Lawyers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
High
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
What Is the Job Outlook for Lawyers?
The BLS projects +4.1% employment change for Lawyer through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 31,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +4.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
31,500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
755K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Lawyer professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $159,670 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 92,580 | $197,790 | +23.9% |
| 2 | New York | 91,440 | $177,210 | +11.0% |
| 3 | Florida | 59,010 | $127,810 | -20.0% |
| 4 | Texas | 54,680 | $133,570 | -16.3% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 33,430 | $191,880 | +20.2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Lawyer positions require a doctoral or professional degree to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law | 35,647 | $142,745 | 212 |
| 2 | Legal Research | 11,141 | $62,654 | 188 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Lawyers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 4 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| 5 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
| 6 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Lawyer, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Lawyer pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Lawyer Pros & Cons
The data on Lawyer shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $159,670 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +4.1% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $221,370 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Large, established field 755K people work in this occupation nationally, creating a broad job market with openings spread across every region and industry.
CONS
- High education requirement Most employers require a doctoral or professional degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Lawyer professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Lawyer is $159,670, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $102,990 and $221,370. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Lawyer a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $159,670 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +4.1% through 2034 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.
How long does it take to become a Lawyer?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A doctoral or professional degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Law are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $159,670 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a doctoral or professional degree worth it to become a Lawyer?
Yes, for most programs. At $159,670 median, graduates at in-state public programs typically recoup their investment within 10 to 15 years of practice. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Lawyer?
The BLS projects +4.1% employment change for Lawyer through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 31,500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 755K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Lawyer salaries vary so widely?
The $118,380 gap between the 25th ($102,990) and 75th ($221,370) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
How competitive is it to get a job as a Lawyer?
Competitive. With roughly 31,500 annual openings in a field of 755K workers, the ratio of openings to existing employment is below 5%. Most hiring replaces workers who retire or leave rather than filling new positions. Strong credentials, relevant experience, and professional network matter significantly more here than in growing fields.
What skills do Lawyer professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Lawyer roles: Speaking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, and Writing. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
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