How much does a Chief Counsel make in District of Columbia?
As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Counsel in District of Columbia is $332,791 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $160.
However, a Chief Counsel's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $375,115
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $304,200 to $354,945
A Chief Counsel'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.
How Experience Level Affects Chief Counsel Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Counsel'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:
How Do Chief Counsel 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 Chief Counsels. 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:
Chief Counsel Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Chief Counsel roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential
by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology
sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average.
In contrast, Chief Counsel positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay,
as these industries often view Chief Counsel as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a Chief Counsel
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense
$399,349
$192.0
20%
Biotechnology
$399,349
$192.0
20%
Financial Services
$399,349
$192.0
20%
Pharmaceuticals
$399,349
$192.0
20%
Software & Networking
$399,349
$192.0
20%
Chief Counsel Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Chief Counsel'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.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chief Counsel job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources.
We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right.
With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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