How much does counsel at a law firm make?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

A counsel at a law firm makes, on average, $190,368 a year. However, this can range from as little as $101,000 a year to as much as $840,000 a year. At a big law firm, the median for a counsel position is around $600,000 a year. Factors that impact how much a counsel can make at a law firm include years of experience, the type of law firm, and the location.

Years as legal counsel at a law firm and average pay rate:

1st Year Counsel average $335,000 a year
2nd Year Counsel average $345,000 a year
3rd Year Counsel averages $355,000 a year
4th Year+ Counsel averages $360,000 a year

Example of pay rates for counsel at different legal firms:

Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak Stewart P.C. averages $190,192 a year (range: $96K - $254K)
Shook Hardy Bacon averages $160,806 a year (range: $140K - $225K)
Steptoe Johnson averages $358,211 a year (range: $143K - $374K)
Morgan Lewis averages $375,842 a year (range: $333K - $397K)
DLA Piper averages $256,955 a year (range: $225K - $387K)
Wilson Elser averages $155,909 a year (range: $141K - $171K)
Ice Miller averages $159,771 a year (range: $72K - $187K)