As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for lawyer associate in District of Columbia is $137,937, equivalent to $66 per hour, $2,653 weekly, or $11,495 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for lawyer associate in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for lawyer associate in District of Columbia vary widely, spanning from $111,582 to $173,178. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($124,142) and 75th percentile ($156,383), while top earners (90th percentile) make $173,178 per year. This $32,241 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or Bankruptcy, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia lawyer associate often earn 10.7% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 36 companies. However, District of Columbia currently ranks 1 nationwide for lawyer associate job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
lawyer associate Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile lawyer associate Salary $111,582 DC January 01, 2026
25th Percentile lawyer associate Salary $124,142 DC January 01, 2026
50th Percentile lawyer associate Salary $137,937 DC January 01, 2026
75th Percentile lawyer associate Salary $156,383 DC January 01, 2026
90th Percentile lawyer associate Salary $173,178 DC January 01, 2026
25% $124,142 10% $111,582 90% $173,178 75% $156,383 $137,937 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
Change Search Criteria
Check out lawyer associate jobs in District of Columbia

Attorney (Associate)

Silverman Law Office, PLLC - BIG TIMBER, MT

Associate Dentist

Great Blue Dental, LLC - MARINETTE, WI

Associate Attorney

Luther-Anderson, PLLP - CHATTANOOGA, TN

Associate Dentist

Sutton Dental Arts, PC - ROSEBURG, OR

Search More lawyer associate Jobs in District of Columbia

What is A lawyer associate ?

A lawyer associate typically assists senior attorneys in various legal tasks, including research, drafting documents, and preparing for trials. Responsibilities may involve reviewing case files, conducting legal research, and communicating with clients. The salary for a lawyer associate can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, the size of the law firm, and the associate's level of experience. On average, entry-level associates can expect a salary range from $60,000 to $120,000 annually, with potential for bonuses and salary increases as they gain experience and take...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

See user submitted job responsibilities for lawyer associate.

Select a city to view specific salary and bonus information for lawyer associate

Loading results...
Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Naval Anacost Annex, DC Avg. Salary $149,654 Date Updated January 01, 2026
Location Parcel Return Service, DC Avg. Salary $149,654 Date Updated January 01, 2026
Location Washington, DC Avg. Salary $149,654 Date Updated January 01, 2026
Location Washington Navy Yard, DC Avg. Salary $149,654 Date Updated January 01, 2026
Job Openings for lawyer associate in District of Columbia

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Attorney I

    0 - 2 years experience
    JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent

  2. This Job:

    lawyer associate

    2 - 4 years experience
    JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent

  3. Up a level:

    Attorney III

    4 - 7 years experience
    JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent

Recently searched related titles: Associate Director Consulting

Jobs with a similar salary range to lawyer associate : Transactional Attorney, Deputy County Attorney, Environmental Attorney