As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Litigation Counsel IV in the United States is $168,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $81.
However, a Litigation Counsel IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI Onboarding
A Litigation Counsel IV'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 Litigation Counsel IV'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Litigation Counsel II | 2-4 years | $105,940 |
| Litigation Counsel III | 4-7 years | $142,585 |
| Litigation Counsel IV | 7+ years | $168,606 |
| Litigation Counsel V | 7-10 years | $201,821 |
| Managing Counsel - Litigation | 10+ years | $173,027 |
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 Litigation Counsel IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Litigation Counsel IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $188,850. While startup companies pay approximate $159,763.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $159,763 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $168,968 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $182,368 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $188,850 |
For Litigation Counsel IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Litigation Counsel positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Litigation Counsel IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $227,745 | $109.0 | 35% |
| Biotechnology | $219,310 | $105.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $210,875 | $101.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $202,440 | $97.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $194,005 | $93.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Litigation Counsel IV'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 August 01, 2026For a Litigation Counsel IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Litigation Counsel V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $201,900 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Salaries for a Litigation Counsel IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary from $186,578 in 2023 to around $186,578 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Litigation Counsel IV salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2023 |
View More
|
| 2024 | $186,578 |
| 2025 |
View More
|
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Litigation Counsel IV and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Litigation Counsel IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Litigation Counsel IV roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.
The salary for Litigation Counsel ranges from a minimum of $145,800 to a maximum of $204,400, with a midpoint of $170,300. This reflects the compensation for legal professionals specializing in litigation, which can vary based on experience, location, and the complexity of cases handled.
As of now, the salary for Litigation Counsel in the United States ranges from a minimum of $145,800 to a maximum of $204,400, with a mid-range salary of $170,300. This reflects the competitive compensation for legal professionals specializing in civil litigation.
Litigation Counsel in the US earn between $145,800 and $204,400 annually, with a median salary of $170,300. In comparison, paralegals and legal assistants earn a median annual salary of $60,970, while legal secretaries make around $50,680. This highlights the significant salary difference between litigation counsel and other legal support roles.
Big-time lawyers, particularly those in litigation counsel roles, can expect salaries ranging from a minimum of $145,800 to a mid-level salary of $170,300, with top earners making up to $204,400. This reflects the significant earning potential in the legal field, especially in high-demand areas.
A civil litigation attorney in Boston typically earns between $145,800 and $204,400 annually, with a mid-salary of around $170,300. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field.
Litigation Counsel typically earns between $145,800 and $204,400, with a mid-salary of $170,300. This positions them among the higher-paid legal professionals, often surpassing many other specializations. While patent and IP attorneys may earn slightly more, Litigation Counsel remains a lucrative field within the legal profession.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
