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Counsel I Salary in the United States

How much does a Counsel I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Counsel I in the United States is $100,053 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

However, a Counsel I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,005
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,133 to $109,973
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,280
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Counsel I Salaries

A Counsel I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Counsel Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Counsel I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Counsel I (0-2 years): $100,038
  • Lawyer II (2-4 years): $132,818
  • Lawyer III (4-7 years): $187,693
  • Lawyer IV (7+ years): $213,701
  • Lawyer V (7-10 years): $253,663
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Counsel I0-2 years$100,038
Lawyer II2-4 years$132,818
Lawyer III4-7 years$187,693
Lawyer IV7+ years$213,701
Lawyer V7-10 years$253,663
View as Graph

How Do Counsel I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Counsel Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $110,783.
  • California: $110,363.
  • Massachusetts: $108,893.

Top Paying Cities for Counsel Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $126,193
  • San Francisco: $124,813
  • Oakland: $122,183

What Skills Can Increase a Counsel I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.65% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Estate Planning (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging, during a person's life, for the management and disposal of that person's estate during the person's life and at and after death, while minimizing gift, estate, generation skipping transfer, and income tax. Estate planning includes planning for incapacity as well as a process of reducing or eliminating uncertainties over the administration of a probate and maximizing the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. The ultimate goal of estate planning can be determined by the specific goals of the client, and may be as simple or complex as the client's needs dictate. Guardians are often designated for minor children and beneficiaries in incapacity. The law of estate planning overlaps to some degree with elder law, which additionally includes other provisions such as long-term care.
  • Employment Law (Mentioned in 1.49% Job Postings): Applying the knowledge of employment law to regulate relationships between employers and employees.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.65%
Estate Planning 2.37%
Employment Law 1.49%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Counsel I's salary.

  • Legal Advice: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Intellectual Property: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Due Diligence: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Legal Advice $105,056
5%
Intellectual Property $104,055
4%
Due Diligence $103,055
3%
Get Latest Data

Counsel I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Counsel I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $111,813. While startup companies pay approximate $94,583.

Counsel I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $94,583
Growth Stage 51~500 $100,031
Established 501~5000 $107,970
Enterprise 5000+ $111,813

Counsel I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Counsel I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Counsel positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Counsel I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Counsel I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$120,064$58.020%
Biotechnology$120,064$58.020%
Energy & Utilities$120,064$58.020%
Financial Services$120,064$58.020%
Healthcare$120,064$58.020%

How Education impacts a Counsel I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Counsel Is enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Counsel I with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $100,650 and $109,378).

Counsel I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Counsel I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 0.4%
Associates 0.1%
Bachelors 1.8%
Masters 2.9%
Doctorate 94.6%
View as Graph

Counsel I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Counsel I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$88,133
Average $100,053/year
$109,973
$7,344
Average $8,338/month
$9,164
$1,695
Average $1,924/week
$2,115
$42
Average $48/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $109,973 $9,164 $2,115 $53
Average $100,053 $8,338 $1,924 $48
25th Percentile $88,133 $7,344 $1,695 $42

Counsel I Salary Growth & Career Path

Counsel I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Counsel I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Lawyer II $132,820 33%
Staff Lawyer II $145,400 45%

Most common benefits for Counsel I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Counsel I

Here are companies hiring for Counsel I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Counsel I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Counsel I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Counsel I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What country pays lawyers the most?

The top countries that pay lawyers well include the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. In the USA, salaries for Counsel range from $89,443 to $120,613, with a median of $104,113, reflecting the lucrative opportunities in the legal profession.

3. Do top lawyers make millions?

Top lawyers can earn substantial salaries, but not all make millions. For example, Counsel positions typically have salaries ranging from $89,443 to $120,613, with a mid-salary of $104,113. While some elite firms may pay their partners millions, most lawyers earn within this range.

4. Which job is highly paid in the USA?

In the USA, a Counsel position offers competitive salaries, with a minimum of $89,443, a mid-range of $104,113, and a maximum of $120,613. This role is crucial in providing legal advice and representation, making it one of the well-compensated professions in the legal field.

5. What job makes the most money?

The job of Counsel offers a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $89,443, a mid-level salary of $104,113, and a maximum of $120,613. While there are many high-paying professions, Counsel positions provide substantial earnings, making them a lucrative career choice in the legal field.

6. What is the highest paying lawyers?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers include: Patent attorney: $180,000, Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000, Trial lawyer: $134,000, Tax attorney: $122,000, Corporate lawyer: $115,000, Medical lawyer: $113,000, Real estate lawyer: $98,000, Family lawyer: $93,000. Counsel salaries range from $89,443 to $120,613, with a mid-salary of $104,113.

7. What's the difference between counsel and lawyer?

A lawyer is a general term for someone qualified to practice law, while legal counsel is a specific type of lawyer who offers advice and assistance on legal matters. Counsel typically earns between $89,443 and $120,613, with a median salary of $104,113, reflecting their specialized role in providing legal guidance.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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