As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Managing Attorney in the United States is $194,468 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.
However, a Managing Attorney'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 Talent
AI Onboarding
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney V | 7-10 years | $253,482 |
| Attorney VI | 10-12 years | $293,265 |
| Managing Attorney | 12+ years | $194,468 |
| Senior Managing Attorney | 12+ years | $217,822 |
| Assistant General Counsel | 12+ years | $251,247 |
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 Managing Attorneys. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 14.17% |
| Legal Advice | 1.95% |
| Economics | 1.3% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Product Development
|
$217,804 |
12%
|
|
Investment Banking
|
$215,859 |
11%
|
|
Intellectual Property
|
$213,915 |
10%
|
|
Products and Services
|
$213,915 |
10%
|
|
Negotiating
|
$211,970 |
9%
|
|
Legal Advice
|
$210,025 |
8%
|
Managing Attorney salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $217,511. While startup companies pay approximate $183,949.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $183,949 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $194,555 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $210,048 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $217,511 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $213,915 | $103.0 | 10% |
| Biotechnology | $213,915 | $103.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $213,915 | $103.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $213,915 | $103.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $213,915 | $103.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Managing Attorneys 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 Attorney with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $187,302 and $201,904).
Managing Attorney Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
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 June 01, 2026For 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 $217,822 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.
Salaries for a Managing Attorney can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $142,112 in 2023 to around $141,792 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Managing Attorney salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $142,112 |
| 2024 | $143,014 |
| 2025 | $141,792 |
| 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 Managing Attorney and their salaries, click below for more details.
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.
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.
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 $245,282.
The highest pay for Managing Attorney is $236,185.
The lowest pay for Managing Attorney is $157,999.
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.
The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Managing Attorney roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
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:
