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Managing Partner Salary in the United States

How much does a Managing Partner make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Managing Partner in the United States is $194,620 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $94.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $235,313
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $174,950 to $215,920
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $157,041

Key Factors That Influence Managing Partner Salaries

A Managing Partner'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 Managing Partner Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Managing Partner'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:

  • Lawyer V (7-10 years): $253,724
  • Lawyer VI (10-12 years): $293,638
  • Managing Partner (12+ years): $194,617
  • Senior Managing Counsel (12+ years): $217,904
  • Assistant Legal Counsel (12+ years): $251,453
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Lawyer V7-10 years$253,724
Lawyer VI10-12 years$293,638
Managing Partner12+ years$194,617
Senior Managing Counsel12+ years$217,904
Assistant Legal Counsel12+ years$251,453

Top Paying Cities for Managing Partners

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: $245,480
  • San Francisco: $242,790
  • Oakland: $237,670

What Skills Can Increase a Managing Partner's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 14.17% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Legal Advice (Mentioned in 1.95% Job Postings): Giving a professional or formal opinion regarding the substance or procedure of the law about a particular factual situation.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 14.17%
Legal Advice 1.95%
Economics 1.3%

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 Managing Partner's salary.

  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Investment Banking: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Intellectual Property: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Development $217,974
12%
Investment Banking $216,028
11%
Intellectual Property $214,082
10%

Managing Partner Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Managing Partner salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $217,273. While startup companies pay approximate $183,975.

Managing Partner Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $183,975
Growth Stage 51~500 $194,530
Established 501~5000 $209,794
Enterprise 5000+ $217,273

Managing Partner Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Managing Partner roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Managing Partner positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Managing Partner as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Managing Partner

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$214,082$103.010%
Biotechnology$214,082$103.010%
Energy & Utilities$214,082$103.010%
Financial Services$214,082$103.010%
Healthcare$214,082$103.010%

How Education impacts a Managing Partner's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Managing Partners 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 Managing Partner with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $186,333 and $200,859).

Managing Partner Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Managing Partner
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 2.3%
Associates 96.5%
Bachelors 1.2%
Masters 2.3%
Doctorate 96.5%

Managing Partner Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Managing Partner'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 October 01, 2026
$174,950
Average $194,620/year
$215,920
$14,579
Average $16,218/month
$17,993
$3,364
Average $3,743/week
$4,152
$84
Average $94/hour
$104
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $215,920 $17,993 $4,152 $104
Average $194,620 $16,218 $3,743 $94
25th Percentile $174,950 $14,579 $3,364 $84

Managing Partner Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Managing Partner, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Senior Managing Counsel role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $218,000 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Managing Partner

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

Common company salaries for Managing Partner

Here are companies hiring for Managing Partner and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Managing Partner

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Managing Partner?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Managing Partner roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. How much do Big 4 partners make in the US?

Big 4 partners in the US can expect a salary range for managing partners between $170,040 and $223,110 annually, with a mid-salary of $195,150. While total compensation can vary significantly due to equity stakes, this base salary provides a solid reference point for earnings in these prestigious firms.

3. Is managing partner a high position?

Yes, a managing partner is typically regarded as a high position within a firm, often the highest in the hierarchy. They oversee overall operations, administration, and strategic direction. In terms of compensation, managing partners can expect salaries ranging from a minimum of $170,040 to a maximum of $223,110, reflecting their significant responsibilities in law, accounting, investment, and consulting firms.

4. What is the job level of a managing partner?

A managing partner is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing daily operations in a business partnership. They serve dual roles as both an owner and a manager, contributing significantly to the firm's success. The salary for this position typically ranges from $170,040 to $223,110, with a mid-point of $195,150, reflecting their critical value to the organization.

5. Can a managing partner be fired?

The partnership agreement typically outlines the process for removing a managing partner, which may require a majority or unanimous vote. It's essential to review the partnership agreement to understand the specific procedures and mechanisms in place. Managing partners can earn between $170,040 and $223,110, reflecting their significant responsibilities.

6. How long does it take to become a managing partner?

To become a managing partner, it typically takes 4-6 years of experience in related fields, along with a bachelor's degree in business or finance. Common prior roles include general manager, manager, and vice president. The salary for a managing partner ranges from $170,040 to $223,110, with a mid-salary of $195,150.

7. How much do managing partners at PwC make?

Managing Partner yearly salaries in the United States at PwC range from a minimum of $170,040 to a maximum of $223,110, with a median salary of approximately $195,150. This reflects the competitive compensation for this senior leadership role within the firm.

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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