As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Senior Counsel in the US is $188,526, equivalent to $91 per hour, $3,626 weekly, or $15,711 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Senior Counsel in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Senior Counsel in the US vary widely, spanning from $161,148 to $226,859. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($174,195) and 75th percentile ($208,591), while top earners (90th percentile) make $226,859 per year. This $34,396 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Commitment or Case Management, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Senior Counsel often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 57 companies and industry startups. 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
Senior Counsel Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Senior Counsel Salary $161,148 US January 01, 2026
25th Percentile Senior Counsel Salary $174,195 US January 01, 2026
50th Percentile Senior Counsel Salary $188,526 US January 01, 2026
75th Percentile Senior Counsel Salary $208,591 US January 01, 2026
90th Percentile Senior Counsel Salary $226,859 US January 01, 2026
25% $174,195 10% $161,148 90% $226,859 75% $208,591 $188,526 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out Senior Counsel jobs in the United States

Senior Counsel - QBE Insurance

QBE Insurance - NEW YORK, NY

SENIOR LITIGATION COUNSEL

State of Arizona Attorney General's Office - PHOENIX, AZ

Senior Radiologic Technologist

K'ima:w Medical Center - HOOPA, CA

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What is a Senior Counsel ?

The title of senior counsel or state counsel (post-nominal letters: SC) is given to a senior lawyer in some countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. "Senior Counsel" is used in current or former Commonwealth countries or jurisdictions that have chosen to change the title "Queen's Counsel" to a name without monarchical connotations, sometimes (but not always) because the British monarch is no longer head of state, such that reference to the Queen is no longer appropriate. Examples of jurisdictions which have made the change because of the latter reason include Mauritius, Zambia...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/25/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
174195
208591
188526

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
166857
228726
196675
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Senior Counsel in the United States. The base salary for Senior Counsel ranges from $174,195 to $208,591 with the average base salary of $188,526. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $166,857 to $228,726 with the average total cash compensation of $196,675.

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174195
208591

 

Skills associated with Senior Counsel: RISK

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