As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Law Student in the United States is $54,434 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.
However, a Law Student's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Law Student Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $58,921 | $4,910 | $1,133 | $28 |
| Average | $54,434 | $4,536 | $1,047 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,388 | $3,866 | $892 | $22 |
Silverman Law Office, PLLC - BIG TIMBER, MT
Lazzara Law Firm, PLLC - SCOTTSDALE, AZ
BILL KENNEDY LAW - DENISON, TX
Glendale Area Law Firm - LA CRESCENTA, CA
A Law Student'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Law Student'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Law Student | $50,746 |
| Intermediate Level Law Student | $51,305 |
| Senior Level Law Student | $53,093 |
| Specialist Level Law Student | $55,805 |
| Expert Level Law Student | $57,973 |
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 Law Students. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Understanding how a Law Student'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $58,921 | $4,910 | $1,133 | $28 |
| Average | $54,434 | $4,536 | $1,047 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,388 | $3,866 | $892 | $22 |
Salaries for a Law Student can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $85,416 in 2023 to around $84,825 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Law Student salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $85,416 |
| 2024 | $85,486 |
| 2025 | $84,825 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Law Student and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Law Student job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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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.)
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