Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Managing Attorney Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Managing Attorney in the United States is $194,542 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $94.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $235,563
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $175,059 to $216,014
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $157,321
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Managing Attorney Salaries

A Managing Attorney'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 Attorney Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Managing Attorney'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:

  • Attorney V (7-10 years): $253,602
  • Attorney VI (10-12 years): $293,450
  • Managing Attorney (12+ years): $194,542
  • Senior Managing Attorney (12+ years): $217,863
  • Assistant General Counsel (12+ years): $251,349
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Attorney V7-10 years$253,602
Attorney VI10-12 years$293,450
Managing Attorney12+ years$194,542
Senior Managing Attorney12+ years$217,863
Assistant General Counsel12+ years$251,349
View as Graph

How Do Managing Attorneys 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 Managing Attorneys. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $215,397.
  • California: $214,580.
  • Massachusetts: $211,720.

Top Paying Cities for Managing Attorney

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: $245,376
  • San Francisco: $242,689
  • Oakland: $237,575

What Skills Can Increase a Managing Attorney'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%
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 a Managing Attorney'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 $217,887
12%
Investment Banking $215,942
11%
Intellectual Property $213,996
10%
Get Latest Data

Managing Attorney Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Managing Attorney salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $217,779. While startup companies pay approximate $184,236.

Managing Attorney Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $184,236
Growth Stage 51~500 $194,851
Established 501~5000 $210,304
Enterprise 5000+ $217,779

Managing Attorney Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Managing Attorney 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 Attorney positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Managing Attorney as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Managing Attorney

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$213,996$103.010%
Biotechnology$213,996$103.010%
Energy & Utilities$213,996$103.010%
Financial Services$213,996$103.010%
Healthcare$213,996$103.010%

How Education impacts an Managing Attorney's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Managing Attorney 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 Managing Attorney with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Managing Attorney Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Managing Attorney
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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Managing Attorney'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
$175,059
Average $194,542/year
$216,014
$14,588
Average $16,212/month
$18,001
$3,367
Average $3,741/week
$4,154
$84
Average $94/hour
$104
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $216,014 $18,001 $4,154 $104
Average $194,542 $16,212 $3,741 $94
25th Percentile $175,059 $14,588 $3,367 $84

Managing Attorney Salary Growth & Career Path

Managing Attorney

Next Role

Advancement

For a Managing Attorney, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Senior Managing Attorney role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $217,863 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Managing Attorney

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

Common company salaries for Managing Attorney

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

Find Your Next Managing Attorney Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Managing Attorney job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Managing Attorney

1. Where can a Managing Attorney earn the most?

A Managing Attorney'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 Managing Attorney earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Managing Attorney is $245,376.

2. What is the highest pay for Managing Attorney?

The highest pay for Managing Attorney is $235,563.

3. What is the lowest pay for Managing Attorney?

The lowest pay for Managing Attorney is $157,321.

4. What are the responsibilities of Managing Attorney?

Responsible for managing the daily operations of a law firm or an organization's legal department. Provides leadership and participates in the most complex legal actions. Directs law office operations, case assignments, and staffing. Oversees the activities and work products of subordinate attorneys. Monitors case status, timelines, and issues. Mentors and coaches attorneys and implements staff professional development programs. Requires a JD. Requires State Bar membership. Typically reports to top legal executive. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Managing Attorney?

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

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job