As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Counsel V in the United States is $253,563 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $122.
However, a Counsel V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Counsel V'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Counsel V'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer III | 4-7 years | $187,635 |
| Lawyer IV | 7+ years | $213,634 |
| Counsel V | 7-10 years | $253,541 |
| Lawyer VI | 10-12 years | $293,356 |
| Managing Counsel | 12+ years | $194,504 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 4.15% |
| Estate Planning | 2.8% |
| Microsoft Office | 2% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Organizing
|
$309,347 |
22%
|
|
Time Management
|
$291,597 |
15%
|
|
Case Management
|
$291,597 |
15%
|
|
Innovation
|
$289,062 |
14%
|
|
Oral Communication
|
$286,526 |
13%
|
|
Data Privacy
|
$283,991 |
12%
|
Counsel V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $283,608. While startup companies pay approximate $239,848.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $239,848 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $253,676 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $273,878 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $283,608 |
For Counsel V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Counsel positions in Retail & Wholesale or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Counsel V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $329,632 | $158.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $316,954 | $152.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $316,954 | $152.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $304,276 | $146.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $291,597 | $140.0 | 15% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Counsel Vs enter the field with a No Diploma 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 V with a No Diploma is between $197,148 and $211,029).
Counsel V Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.1% |
| High School | 1.1% |
| Associates | 3.4% |
| Bachelors | 1.1% |
| Masters | 3.4% |
| Doctorate | 94.3% |
Understanding how a Counsel V'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 July 01, 2026For a Counsel V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Lawyer VI role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $293,400 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.
Salaries for a Counsel V can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $182,020 in 2023 to around $164,058 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Counsel V salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $182,020 |
| 2024 | $171,966 |
| 2025 | $164,058 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Counsel V roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
The salary data for Counsel positions indicates a minimum salary of $194,463, a mid-range salary of $218,013, and a maximum salary of $240,263. While these figures reflect base salaries, total compensation for General Counsels at Fortune 500 companies can be significantly higher when including bonuses and stock options.
A counsel or counsellor at law is a professional who provides legal advice and addresses various legal issues. This title is often used interchangeably with lawyer. In terms of compensation, salaries for counsel typically range from a minimum of $194,463 to a maximum of $240,263, with a mid-salary of $218,013, reflecting their expertise and the complexity of their work.
In the legal industry, certain segments tend to offer lower compensation. Typically, public defenders, legal aid attorneys, and lawyers working for nonprofit organizations are among the lowest paid. For context, Counsel positions have a salary range with a minimum of $194,463, a mid-point of $218,013, and a maximum of $240,263.
The highest paid general counsel in the S&P 500 last year was Kent Walker at Alphabet, with a total compensation significantly exceeding the typical salary range for counsel, which is between $194,463 and $240,263. Other notable GCs include Kate Adams at Apple and John Finley at Blackstone, but their compensations also surpassed standard counsel salaries.
As of 2024, the highest paying lawyers include Patent Attorneys, Intellectual Property Attorneys, Trial Lawyers, Tax Attorneys, and Corporate Lawyers. Their salaries range from a minimum of $194,463 to a mid-level of $218,013, with top earners reaching up to $240,263. These figures reflect the competitive nature of the legal profession.
Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyers are among the highest-paid, with salaries ranging from $194,463 to $240,263. Their specialized knowledge in distinct fields contributes to their high earning potential. Other well-compensated types include Tax Attorneys, Trial Attorneys, Medical Lawyers, Patent Attorneys, Corporate Lawyers, Real Estate Lawyers, and Family Lawyers.
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.)
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