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General Counsel Salary in the United States

How much does a General Counsel make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Counsel in the United States is $364,765 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $175.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $430,442
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $328,368 to $399,143
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $295,230
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence General Counsel Salaries

A General Counsel'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 General Counsel Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Counsel'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:

  • Senior Managing Attorney (5+ years): $217,863
  • Assistant General Counsel (5+ years): $251,349
  • Associate General Counsel (5+ years): $292,775
  • General Counsel (5+ years): $364,765
  • Chief Legal Officer (5+ years): $462,309
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Senior Managing Attorney5+ years$217,863
Assistant General Counsel5+ years$251,349
Associate General Counsel5+ years$292,775
General Counsel5+ years$364,765
Chief Legal Officer5+ years$462,309
View as Graph

How Do General Counsels 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 General Counsels. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $403,868.
  • California: $402,336.
  • Massachusetts: $396,974.

Top Paying Cities for General Counsel

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: $460,078
  • San Francisco: $455,041
  • Oakland: $445,451

What Skills Can Increase a General Counsel's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Problem Solving (Mentioned in 5.96% Job Postings): Analyzing and identifying the root cause of problems and applying critical thinking skills to solve problems.
  • Retail Industry (Mentioned in 4.23% Job Postings): The retail industry consists of all companies that sell goods and services to consumers. There are many different retail sales and store types worldwide, including grocery, convenience, discounts, independents, department stores, DIY, electrical and speciality.
  • Corporate Governance (Mentioned in 1.73% Job Postings): Implementing rules, practices, and processes to effectively direct and manage a company to meet its missions and goals.
Skills Demand Percentage
Problem Solving 5.96%
Retail Industry 4.23%
Corporate Governance 1.73%
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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 General Counsel's salary.

  • Corporate Development: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Oral Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Due Diligence: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Corporate Development $408,537
12%
Oral Communication $397,594
9%
Due Diligence $397,594
9%
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General Counsel Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Counsel salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $408,333. While startup companies pay approximate $345,440.

General Counsel Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $345,440
Growth Stage 51~500 $365,344
Established 501~5000 $394,318
Enterprise 5000+ $408,333

General Counsel Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Counsel 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 Transportation. and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, General Counsel positions in Telecom or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Counsel as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a General Counsel

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Transportation.$437,718$210.020%

How Education impacts an General Counsel's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Counsel enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 General Counsel with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

General Counsel Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Counsel
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.4%
High School 96.6%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 3.4%
Doctorate 96.6%
View as Graph

General Counsel Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Counsel'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, 2026
$328,368
Average $364,765/year
$399,143
$27,364
Average $30,397/month
$33,262
$6,315
Average $7,015/week
$7,676
$158
Average $175/hour
$192
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $399,143 $33,262 $7,676 $192
Average $364,765 $30,397 $7,015 $175
25th Percentile $328,368 $27,364 $6,315 $158

General Counsel Salary Growth & Career Path

General Counsel

Next Role

For a General Counsel, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Chief Legal Officer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $462,309 - a projected growth of 27% over your current level.

Most common benefits for General Counsel

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

Common company salaries for General Counsel

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

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FAQ about General Counsel

1. Where can a General Counsel earn the most?

A General Counsel's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a General Counsel earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a General Counsel is $460,078.

2. What is the highest pay for General Counsel?

The highest pay for General Counsel is $430,442.

3. What is the lowest pay for General Counsel?

The lowest pay for General Counsel is $295,230.

4. What are the responsibilities of General Counsel?

Plans and manages an organization's legal affairs to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Ensures all business activities comply with regulatory standards and legal strategies. Provides guidance on legal issues, manages compliance and risk mitigation, reviews contracts, and handles other legal duties to protect the organization's interests. Researches and monitors legal developments and regulatory changes to identify and communicate impacts to the organization. May assist in the defense of the organization in lawsuits and the prosecution of lawsuits on behalf of the organization. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar. Typically reports to top management. Manages a business unit, division, or corporate function with major organizational impact. Establishes/implements overall direction and strategic initiatives for the given major function or line of business. Typically requires 10+ years of progressive leadership experience. Has extensive knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for General Counsel?

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

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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