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Employment Counsel III Salary in the United States

How much does an Employment Counsel III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Employment Counsel III in the United States is $149,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $176,943
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $141,320 to $163,960
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $133,690
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Employment Counsel III Salaries

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

How Do Employment Counsel III 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 Employment Counsel IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $165,750.
  • California: $165,120.
  • Massachusetts: $162,920.

Top Paying Cities for Employment Counsel IIIs

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: $188,810
  • San Francisco: $186,750
  • Oakland: $182,810

What Skills Can Increase an Employment Counsel III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 3.89% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Cost Control (Mentioned in 3.26% Job Postings): Managing and analyzing financial data in determining and reducing business expenses to increase revenue and profitability.
  • Blockchain (Mentioned in 2.19% Job Postings): Blockchain is the grow list of records, called blocks, which are securely linked together using cryptography.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 3.89%
Cost Control 3.26%
Blockchain 2.19%
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 an Employment Counsel III's salary.

  • Estate Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Oral Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Critical Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Estate Planning $185,628
24%
Oral Communication $176,646
18%
Critical Thinking $167,664
12%
Get Latest Data

Employment Counsel III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Employment Counsel III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $167,296. While startup companies pay approximate $141,515.

Employment Counsel III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $141,515
Growth Stage 51~500 $149,667
Established 501~5000 $161,546
Enterprise 5000+ $167,296

Employment Counsel III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Employment Counsel III 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 Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Employment Counsel positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Employment Counsel III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Employment Counsel III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$179,640$86.020%

How Education impacts an Employment Counsel III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Employment Counsel IIIs 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 an Employment Counsel III with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $151,842 and $165,806).

Employment Counsel III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Employment Counsel III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 100.0%
High School 0.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 100.0%
View as Graph

Employment Counsel III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Employment Counsel III'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
$141,320
Average $149,700/year
$163,960
$11,777
Average $12,475/month
$13,663
$2,718
Average $2,879/week
$3,153
$68
Average $72/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $163,960 $13,663 $3,153 $79
Average $149,700 $12,475 $2,879 $72
25th Percentile $141,320 $11,777 $2,718 $68

Employment Counsel III Salary Growth & Career Path

Employment Counsel III

Next Role

For an Employment Counsel III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Attorney, Specialist - Employment Law role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $179,200 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Employment Counsel III

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

Common company salaries for Employment Counsel III

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

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FAQ about Employment Counsel III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Employment Counsel III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Employment Counsel III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How can a lawyer make 500k a year?

To achieve a salary of $500k a year, lawyers can implement a strategic marketing approach. Focus on building a high-performance law firm website, creating valuable content, optimizing ads, enhancing client reviews, and managing your legal reputation. With the average salary for Employment Counsel ranging from $134,700 to $185,620, additional revenue streams or specialized services may be necessary to reach that goal.

3. Which type of lawyer gets paid the most?

Employment Counsel lawyers typically earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $134,700, a mid-range of $161,560, and a maximum of $185,620. While various legal specialties can command high salaries, Employment Counsel stands out due to its specialized knowledge in labor laws and regulations, making it a lucrative field within the legal profession.

4. How much do fortune 500 general counsels make?

Overall Compensation Overview: The average base salary for Employment Counsel is between $134,700 and $185,620, with a mid-salary of $161,560. Total compensation may vary based on bonuses and stock options, but these figures provide a solid benchmark for Employment Counsel salaries.

5. What is the highest salary in legal counsel?

The highest salary for an Employment Counsel is $185,620 per year. The minimum salary is $134,700, while the mid-range salary is $161,560.

6. How much do employment lawyers make in the US?

Employment lawyers in the US earn between $134,700 and $185,620 annually, with a median salary of $161,560. This translates to approximately $64.67 to $89.14 per hour, or $2,590 to $3,570 per week. The monthly earnings range from about $11,225 to $15,850, reflecting the diverse compensation in this field.

7. Who is the highest paid general counsel?

The highest paid general counsel in the S&P 500 last year was Kent Walker at Alphabet, with a total compensation of $27.3 million. In comparison, the salary range for Employment Counsel positions typically falls between $134,700 and $185,620, with a mid-salary of $161,560. This highlights the significant disparity in compensation for top legal executives.

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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