As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Legal Attorney in the United States is $194,377 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.
However, a Legal Attorney's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Legal 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Legal 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Legal Attorney | $186,282 |
| Intermediate Level Legal Attorney | $187,375 |
| Senior Level Legal Attorney | $189,126 |
| Specialist Level Legal Attorney | $194,377 |
| Expert Level Legal Attorney | $202,035 |
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 Legal Attorneys. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 5.95% |
| Case Management | 1.95% |
| Employment Law | 1.56% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Open Source
|
$223,534 |
15%
|
|
Intellectual Property
|
$206,040 |
6%
|
|
Innovation
|
$204,096 |
5%
|
|
Employment Law
|
$204,096 |
5%
|
|
Hard Working
|
$202,152 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$202,152 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Legal 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 a Legal Attorney with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $166,120 and $178,270).
Legal Attorney Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
Understanding how a Legal 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.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for a Legal Attorney can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $176,877 in 2023 to around $161,240 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Legal Attorney salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $176,877 |
| 2024 | $170,325 |
| 2025 | $161,240 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Legal Attorney and their salaries, click below for more details.
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