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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Counsel V in Kentucky is $238,653 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $115.
However, a Counsel V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Counsel V Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $251,423 | $20,952 | $4,835 | $121 |
| Average | $238,653 | $19,888 | $4,589 | $115 |
| 25th Percentile | $227,453 | $18,954 | $4,374 | $109 |
NCSL International - Northern, KY
San Francisco Compute Co. - Northern, KY
Equify, LLC - Northern, KY
USA Volleyball Inc. - Northern, KY
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, 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 | $176,592 |
| Lawyer IV | 7+ years | $201,061 |
| Counsel V | 7-10 years | $238,639 |
| Lawyer VI | 10-12 years | $276,136 |
| Managing Counsel | 12+ years | $183,064 |
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:
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:
Counsel V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $267,158. While startup companies pay approximate $226,010.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $226,010 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $239,032 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $257,989 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $267,158 |
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 | $310,249 | $149.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $298,316 | $143.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $298,316 | $143.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $286,384 | $138.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $274,451 | $132.0 | 15% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $251,423 | $20,952 | $4,835 | $121 |
| Average | $238,653 | $19,888 | $4,589 | $115 |
| 25th Percentile | $227,453 | $18,954 | $4,374 | $109 |
For 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 $276,200 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Counsel V job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
RECO Equipment, Inc.
, KY
RECO Equipment, Inc. | , KY
Description. Belmont, OH (hybrid flexibility considered) | Full-time | Reports to the company President. RECO Equipment, Inc. is a family-owned, full-line ... more
5 Days Ago
Gelber Group
Northern, KY
Gelber Group | Northern, KY
As Gelber Group's General Counsel, you will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team at one of the industry's leading proprietary trading fir... more
6 Days Ago
AI Chopping Block
Northern, KY
AI Chopping Block | Northern, KY
Ironclad is seeking a lead counsel to head the product, privacy, and IP legal function. This role partners with the business to drive growth while ensuring... more
3 Days Ago
AI Chopping Block
Northern, KY
AI Chopping Block | Northern, KY
Ironclad is the leading AI contracting platform that transforms agreements into assets. Contracts move faster, insights surface instantly, and agents push ... more
3 Days Ago
Limitless Decatur
Northern, KY
Limitless Decatur | Northern, KY
Look for jobs and resources in Decatur & Macon Countyhere. Find out the benefits of working here (besides a paycheck. ). Up-to-date information on the indu... more
2 Days Ago
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Northern, KY
LexisNexis Risk Solutions | Northern, KY
Government General CounselApplylocations: Mclean, VAtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: R116270**Are you a strategic legal leade... more
3 Days Ago
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