Independent Contractor Attorney Salary in the United States

How much does an Independent Contractor Attorney make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Independent Contractor Attorney in the United States is $179,723 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $86.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $212,856
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $164,788 to $197,066
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $151,190
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $164,788 10% $151,190 90% $212,856 75% $197,066 $179,723 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Independent Contractor Attorney Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $197,066 $16,422 $3,790 $95
Average $179,723 $14,977 $3,456 $86
25th Percentile $164,788 $13,732 $3,169 $79
Check out Independent Contractor Attorney Job Openings in the United States
Independent Contractor

RMGS, Inc. - VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

Attorney

Gruber Law Offices - MILWAUKEE, WI

Attorney

DeFazio Law Office - JACKSON, WY

Attorney

Meriwether and Tharp, LLC - SAVANNAH, GA

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Key Factors That Influence Independent Contractor Attorney Salaries

An Independent Contractor 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 Independent Contractor Attorney Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Independent Contractor 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $97,613
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $129,554
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $182,835
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $208,161
  • Expert (over 8 years): $246,925
Levels Salary
Attorney ... Level Independent Contractor Attorney$97,613
Attorney ... Level Independent Contractor Attorney$129,554
Independe... Level Independent Contractor Attorney$182,835
Attorney ... Level Independent Contractor Attorney$208,161
Attorney ... Level Independent Contractor Attorney$246,925
$97,613 0 yr
$129,554 < 2 yrs
$182,835 2-4 yrs
$208,161 5-8 yrs
$246,925 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Independent Contractor Attorney 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 Independent Contractor Attorneys. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $198,989.
  • California: $198,234.
  • Massachusetts: $195,593.

Top Paying Cities for Independent Contractor Attorneys

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: $226,685
  • San Francisco: $224,456
  • Oakland: $219,478

What Skills Can Increase an Independent Contractor Attorney's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.95% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 1.95% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
  • Employment Law (Mentioned in 1.56% Job Postings): Applying the knowledge of employment law to regulate relationships between employers and employees.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.95%
Case Management 1.95%
Employment Law 1.56%
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 an Independent Contractor Attorney's salary.
  • Open Source: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Intellectual Property: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Open Source
 $206,681
15%
Intellectual Property
 $190,506
6%
Innovation
 $188,709
5%
Employment Law
 $188,709
5%
Hard Working
 $186,912
4%
Collaboration
 $186,912
4%
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How Education impacts an Independent Contractor Attorney's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Independent Contractor 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 an Independent Contractor Attorney with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $166,120 and $178,270).

Independent Contractor Attorney Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Independent Contractor Attorney
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 0.3%
Associates 0.3%
Bachelors 0.7%
Masters 3.1%
Doctorate 95.6%
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Independent Contractor Attorney Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Independent Contractor 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$164,788
Average $179,723/year
$197,066
$13,732
Average $14,977/month
$16,422
$3,169
Average $3,456/week
$3,790
$79
Average $86/hour
$95
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $197,066 $16,422 $3,790 $95
Average $179,723 $14,977 $3,456 $86
25th Percentile $164,788 $13,732 $3,169 $79

Salaries of jobs related to Independent Contractor Attorney

Salary Trends for Independent Contractor Attorney

Salaries for an Independent Contractor Attorney can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $167,695 in 2023 to around $152,870 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Independent Contractor Attorney salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Independent Contractor Attorney Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$167,695
2024
$161,483
2025
$152,870
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $167,695
2024 $161,483
2025 $152,870
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Independent Contractor Attorney

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