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Job outlook for attorneys at law in the United States
Attorney at law job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected attorney at law job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 80,200 new jobs for attorneys at law are projected over the next decade.
Attorney at law salaries have increased 7% for attorneys at law in the last 5 years.
There are over 268,471 attorneys at law currently employed in the United States.
There are 7,025 active attorney at law job openings in the US.
The average attorney at law salary is $108,018.
Are attorney at law jobs in demand?
Attorney at law job and salary trends over time
Attorney at law jobs over time
Attorney at law job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 268,471 | 0.08% |
| 2020 | 259,004 | 0.08% |
| 2019 | 258,367 | 0.08% |
| 2018 | 252,218 | 0.08% |
| 2017 | 246,289 | 0.07% |
Average attorney at law salary over time
Attorney at law salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $108,018 | $51.93 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $104,640 | $50.31 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $102,895 | $49.47 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $101,483 | $48.79 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $100,555 | $48.34 | +2.0% |
Attorney at law jobs by state
Most common states for attorneys at law
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 181 | 26% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 31 | 5% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 23 | 2% |
| 4 | California | 39,536,653 | 462 | 1% |
| 5 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 287 | 1% |
| 6 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 221 | 1% |
| 7 | New York | 19,849,399 | 210 | 1% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 99 | 1% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 97 | 1% |
| 10 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 93 | 1% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 79 | 1% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 76 | 1% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 67 | 1% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 63 | 1% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 61 | 1% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 60 | 1% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 18 | 1% |
| 18 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 15 | 1% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 10 | 1% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 7 | 1% |
Most common cities for attorneys at law
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $90,220 |
| 2 | Santa Rosa | 1 | 1% | $129,582 |
| 3 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $93,164 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $92,573 |
| 5 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $92,791 |
| 6 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $72,142 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $88,442 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $119,633 |
| 9 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $94,093 |
| 10 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $129,245 |
| 11 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $129,663 |
Attorney At Law job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of attorney at law experts
Suffolk University
Cornell University
University of North Dakota
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Georgia
Oakland University
Rollins College
University of Cincinnati
Lewis and Clark School of Law
Texas Tech University
Southern Illinois University
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Illinois State University
University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Andrele St. Val: You can maximize your salary potential by learning how to negotiate and then being sure you do it. Know that employers will try to pay you the minimum. Know your worth, even when starting out, and ask for it. Also, take the time to harness your skills. This can be in the form of becoming an expert in your area of the law or sharpening your 'soft skills' like negotiations.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andrele St. Val: The skill that will become more important and prevalent in the next 3 to 5 years is knowing how to ethically leverage the use of technology to practice law more efficiently. For example, knowing how to engineer prompts to get results when using AI while also adhering to the rules of professional responsibility is going to be very useful in practice.
What will help Attorneys At Law increase their earning potential?
Andrele St. Val: Take this opportunity to learn how to practice and be a lawyer. You learned how to think like a lawyer in law school, now it is time for you to learn how to be a lawyer. You do this by getting a mentor to help you navigate the first couple of years of practice. Be open to advice and guidance.
Michael Bolden Former First Justice/Boston Municipal Court/Retired
Suffolk University
Law
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Michael Bolden Former First Justice/Boston Municipal Court/Retired: While maximizing a salary is an important consideration for all of us, my experience is that money alone will not be enough to overcome a miserable work environment. It is my advice that one must balance compensation with a healthy work environment. That being said, your best strategy to maximize your compensation was when you were in school. Emphasize your diversity of experience (clinical programs, internships and work experience even nonlegal jobs). Think about the fact that there will be many candidates for the job you're seeking. Ask yourself 'why should you be hired over all the other candidates. Everyone looks good on paper, what do you bring to the table that the other candidates do not. Speaking a second language or studying abroad are examples of how you can distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack. Finally, do your homework and find out what the realistic salary range is being offered. Then using the above experiences, you can argue why you should be considered for the higher compensation.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Bolden Former First Justice/Boston Municipal Court/Retired: It is hard to predict what areas of law will become prevalent in the next few years, my advice to young attorneys is to train to become a quick study and nimble so you can pivot to new areas of law going forward. Also, make this willingness to learn new things known to your supervisor so they can support you in your willingness to stay current.
What will help Attorneys At Law increase their earning potential?
Michael Bolden Former First Justice/Boston Municipal Court/Retired: My general advice to a graduate beginning their career in the law would be.....Do not think you have to make your ultimate career decision in your first job. As time goes on you may find out that what you thought you liked is not fulfilling and giving you the satisfaction you were hoping to get by being a lawyer. Give yourself permission to make a change in your career path while you hone your skills and gain experience. As a result, as you go forward keep your eyes and options open so you may end up in a place where you are getting the satisfaction you dreamed about practicing law.
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Mohamed Arafa SJD: I think this is really significant and important (on time) article. Happy to be quoted in your piece.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mohamed Arafa SJD: I will be more than happy to respond to your questions on the job legal market (law majors/fields) after graduating w/the JD/law degree from the law school.
What will help Attorneys At Law increase their earning potential?
Mohamed Arafa SJD: LMK when it’s good for you and we can proceed for a Zoom call or so! Just make sure that there is 7 hours ahead between NY and Riyadh.
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Kimberly Dasse: The concept of a legal career encompasses a wide array of roles, extending beyond the traditional associate-partner trajectory. I therefore recommend that law students plan early. While still in school, seek out internships or externships that afford opportunities to explore diverse roles, such as placements at non-profits, district attorney’s offices, public defender’s offices, and law firms. This type of exposure will help students to determine what roles align best with their personal circumstances, identity, and aspirations. Once a course is set, pursue that path with determination. As practitioners, they should strive to excel by applying their academic knowledge and life experiences to their work. Pose thoughtful questions that reflect genuine engagement and consideration for the work. Cultivate mentoring relationships with seasoned professionals who can offer guidance in navigating legal practice and office dynamics. The above steps are particularly important for first-generation professionals. As new entrants to the profession, one may not have a built-in or pre-existing network, so building connections early in law school can yield significant benefits later when transitioning into the profession.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kimberly Dasse: By taking the steps I have outlined above, new entrants will set themselves up for success by finding the right roles for themselves and developing valued skills.
What will help Attorneys At Law increase their earning potential?
Kimberly Dasse: Lawyers must adeptly navigate a diverse array of roles, ranging from advisors to counselors to planners, writers, researchers, supervisors, and more. Aside from producing quality legal work, reflect on your other strengths and dedicate time to developing yourself further. A skilled lawyer who is also an excellent manager of people offers a unique set of skills that may appeal to upper legal management in your organization. As the legal landscape evolves, I believe two key skills will emerge: technology and teamwork. The integration of AI into legal services is reshaping the profession with more innovation on the horizon. For our clients, blockchain technology, data analytics, and digitized workplaces are becoming standard. Thus, technology will become more embedded into an array of fields, not just “techie” industries. Those who follow and understand technological developments will engage the worlds our clients live in, enhance their own efficiency within their firms and deliver cost-effective services. Consequently, I urge new entrants to deepen their technological understanding and remain abreast of advancements. Additionally, collaboration lies at the heart of legal work, but its dynamics are transforming. While a solid grasp of technology is pivotal for future legal careers, honing interpersonal skills is equally vital. The future legal team may encompass a wide range of professionals in virtual settings. Thus, lawyers with high emotional intelligence who are adept at motivating individuals, building teams, and integrating the work of diverse professionals will become a valued skill. Accordingly, as lawyers consider ways to develop their skills, they should consider refining their skills as managers, supervisors, or coaches.
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Ms. Debbie Snyder: Lawyers find fulfillment and satisfaction in their chosen path for a variety of reasons. First, is the intellectual challenge - lawyers are constantly thinking critically, analyzing and problem-solving in their daily work. Second, lawyers are motivated by making a positive impact on the lives of others or their community. Lawyers have the opportunity to advocate for justice and uphold the rule of law. Since lawyers are problem solvers, the work can be particularly satisfying for those who enjoy finding innovative solutions and making strategic decisions. As stated previously, a legal career can be financially stable and lucrative, depending on the setting. The legal profession can also be demanding and stressful, with lawyers working long hours in high-pressure environments. Billable hour requirements can lead to burnout. Managing client expectations can be challenging. However, despite these challenges, many lawyers find ways to manage these aspects and derive satisfaction from their careers through a combination of their passion for the law and a desire to help others.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ms. Debbie Snyder: There is always a need for lawyers. Legal needs persist regardless of economic conditions, ensuring a consistent demand for lawyers. Lawyers can work in a variety of settings, including private practice (law firms), government, business and industry, non-profit organizations and academia, offering a wide range of experiences. In addition, the work can be intellectually stimulating and personally fulfilling by making a positive impact on society. Finally, a career in law tends to have financial stability.
What will help Attorneys At Law increase their earning potential?
Ms. Debbie Snyder: New lawyers are primarily responsible for research and writing. If working in a law firm setting, new lawyers are known as associates and conduct legal research, draft legal documents such as motions, briefs, memos or contracts and collaborate with partners and/or senior associates to assist clients with their legal needs. Associates may help in preparing cases for trial by reviewing and analyzing documents, organizing evidence, and attending hearings and depositions. New attorneys working in-house (i.e. for a corporation) will assist the company with their legal needs, whether it involves litigation or transactional work. Assistant District Attorneys represent the government in prosecuting criminal cases. This work involves legal research and writing, evaluating cases and evidence and appearing in court. Public Defenders represent individuals who cannot afford to hire an attorney. They also perform legal research and writing, as well as counsel their clients and represent them in the courtroom.
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Dustin Marlan: This is an exciting time to be a lawyer given advances in technology. Unlike some other fields, law does not appear to be a field that will be “taken over” by generative AI, but rather AI will hopefully make some of the more monotonous work that a lawyer needs to handle less tedious and time-consuming. There should always be a need for the human element in law given the inherent subjectivities in comprehending and interpreting the law. I’m not sure that’s the case with every professional discipline, though, unfortunately.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dustin Marlan: In terms of positives, my students and I enjoy working on intellectually stimulating work, law is often a lucrative way of making a living, and the pursuit of achieving justice is incredibly rewarding. Law does often involve long hours, can be mentally or emotionally taxing and, while intellectual creativity abounds, the artistic creativity found in some other humanities-centered vocations is lacking.
What will help Attorneys At Law increase their earning potential?
Dustin Marlan: The daily responsibilities of a lawyer vary greatly based on what type of law they practice. Some lawyers are litigators, meaning they work to resolve disputes in their client’s favor. Other lawyers are transactional lawyers, and work to either prevent disputes from occurring, or put their clients in the best possible future position should one be inevitable. For those entering the field, junior lawyers will likely serve in research support roles and may have less client interaction than more senior lawyers, although this will vary depending on the sector, employer, or practice group. In any case, lawyers need to use both analytical skills in research, writing and solving difficult legal problems, as well as emotional intelligence and intuition in interacting with and counseling their clients.
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Charity Rohlfs J.D.: Find a mentor and be involved with your local legal associations. Porter Gale said, “your network is your net worth.” And, I couldn’t agree more! As a new paralegal, legal operations specialist, or attorney, growing your network helps in all aspects of your career. You will gain new skills, increase your business development ability, engage in meaningful volunteering opportunities, and truly find an area of law you want to specialize in.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Charity Rohlfs J.D.: GenAI! Which means highlights the importance of skills like organization, communication, and consensus building. The legal field has historically been technology hesitant, but the pandemic and AI have forced the use and adaptation of technology. AI’s exponential growth will require new skills at a lightning fast pace. A bellwether in the legal field is eDiscovery as it requires the ability to organize massive amounts of information as well as clearly and concisely communicate the information. AI is helping paralegals and attorneys do just this! Finally, in a world that often hides behind screens, having the ability to build consensus and connect with others will be invaluable.
What will help Attorneys At Law increase their earning potential?
Charity Rohlfs J.D.: Do your research and clearly communicate your ask with supporting evidence. A simple internet search will provide you actual salary ranges. An applicant then needs to take this information and explain why X is the amount based on individual specifics. Also, never negotiated against yourself—meaning sometimes you need to be silent and wait.
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Brian Mink: Lean into emerging trends and areas of interest, read about them daily, volunteer for related assignments, seek opportunities to publish articles or teach CLEs. Building expertise in a specific area can open up new opportunities and increase salary potential.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Brian Mink: Graduates entering the legal profession will need to be highly adaptable and willing to learn new skills in addition to their legal expertise.
What will help Attorneys At Law increase their earning potential?
Brian Mink: Attorneys will spend less time on repetitive work product like contract drafting and research. It will be more important for attorneys to develop skills like understanding clients' businesses, project management, team management, vendor interaction, and effectively using AI.
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Jennifer Thor: There are many ways to maximize your salary in this career field. First and foremost, is to keep your GPA up. GPA is a huge factor that law schools consider when making admissions decisions. Second, try and get some experience. Intern in an HR department; shadow a lawyer who practices in an area of law you are interested in; see if the local court takes on interns or maybe the local prosecutor's office; or volunteer with a civil rights organization that is fighting for principles that you care about. Lastly, improve your leadership skills. Join a campus group and help them achieve their goals. You do not have to become the president of the group, but you could maybe take on the chair of a committee.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Thor: The most important skill they can learn is effective communication. Legal Studies students need to be able to communicate both in writing and verbally. This is a skill that has always been an important one for legal studies students and it will be necessary in the future as well. Although AI can help with the drafting of certain documents and emails, it will not be able to help with client meetings, board presentations, arguing before a jury, and writing legal briefs. Taking advantage of courses offered at their university that improve their writing and speaking skills will make them a valuable asset to any organization they join.
What will help Attorneys At Law increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Thor: First, Oakland University does not have a legal studies degree; however, through our Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, students have been able to create their own legal studies program combining legal courses across multiple disciplines. The majority of legal studies students tend to go to law school after graduation. They typically want to continue learning about the law in order to become a lawyer. So for those graduates, I highly recommend speaking with a pre-law adviser as they begin their junior year. That adviser will give them information about taking the LSAT and what that student will need to do to make sure their application to law school is in perfect order. For those students who do not want to go to law school, but who want to work in a law firm, I recommend that they obtain a paralegal certificate. The combination of the law courses in their bachelor's degree and the procedural courses offered in a paralegal program will make that individual very attractive to law firms. Lastly, for those students who don't want to go to law school or work in a law firm, their legal studies degree is still very valuable. Many jobs require at least some understanding of the law. For example, working in HR requires knowledge about the various federal and state employment laws that impact wages and benefits. It also requires a general understanding of contract law and the law regarding workplace discrimination. Individuals working in a purchasing department need to understand contract law and depending on the type of items being purchased an understanding of the Uniform Commercial Code as well. I recommend that these students investigate different career paths and meet with their Career and Life Coaches on campus.
Mike Gunter Ph.D.
Director, Holt International AffairsRollins College
International Relations Faculty
What skills stand out on Attorney At Law resumes?
Mike Gunter Ph.D.: From an undergraduate coursework perspective, diversity of courses taken. That combines with the level of difficulty of those courses, highlighting how a candidate has been challenged in several areas and met those challenges.
What soft skills should all Attorneys At Law possess?
Mike Gunter Ph.D.: Critical thinking is what we emphasize most and what studies show employers value most. This applies to both oral presentations and the written word. The truth is, today's graduates will hold well over a dozen different jobs in their careers. Oftentimes, you will have little to no training for those jobs. You will need to learn on the job. Solid critical thinking skills are a huge asset in negotiating this process.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Attorneys At Law?
Mike Gunter Ph.D.: Good writing will always be crucial. There are all types of audiences, of course, so you need to adjust accordingly. But even as technology changes, good writing will remain a valuable asset.
James Tomaszewski
Director of the Center for Professional DevelopmentUniversity of Cincinnati
College of Law
What soft skills should all Attorneys At Law possess?
James Tomaszewski: Engagement, Resilience, Responsiveness, Respectfulness, Integrity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Attorneys At Law?
James Tomaszewski: Excellent writing skills.
What skills will help Attorneys At Law earn the most?
James Tomaszewski: Hard work, excellent writing, and interpersonal finesse.
What skills stand out on Attorney At Law resumes?
James Tomaszewski: Demonstrated commitment to a particular practice area, especially experiential learning opportunities such as externships and clinics.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Attorney At Law job market given the pandemic?
Joel Silverman: I believe that the biggest trend we will see in the job market is that job seekers are going to have to become more flexible. Not only are they going to have to think about what is going to get them a job, but what are they going to bring to the table for an employer in a rapidly changing market? How can the recent graduate bring more than just the same old legal knowledge? Do they have marketing and sales experience? How can a new attorney help a firm with their social media presence? IT experience and remote learning/educating? Technology continues to evolve and shape the way in which we practice our craft and market our skills. The new graduate has the potential for a set of skills that the employer does not have and therefore, the graduate has to make that part of their practice shine.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Attorneys At Law?
Joel Silverman: We are unique, in that we are looking for team players and attorneys that want to market and learn about the business of law. For us, it is imperative that an attorney keep an open mind towards learning about more than just the law, but about psychology, business, marketing, sales and the law. We aren't looking for experts, but those that want to grow in a more wholistic sense, within the practice of law.
How have salaries changed over time for Attorneys At Law?
Joel Silverman: Absolutely. Salaries have gone up by 50%, since I started, 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the cost of education has gone up faster than the increase in salaries. With that said, an attorney truly has a sky's the limit to their salary. If an attorney can understand the business of the practice of law, then that attorney has a leg up on all other competition. The business of the practice will also change, based upon the firm you are working in, at the time. However, the end result is that the better you understand the business (which isn't taught in law school), then the more you will make within the practice.
What's a good job out of college for Attorneys At Law?
Paula Smith: The first professional legal job out of law school covers every area of law and every geography. Every legal job provides opportunity for growth and experience in the profession. Students choose law firms, government agencies, and public interest jobs according to their interest and passion. Some graduates work in civil litigation, others work in criminal prosecution or criminal defense. Some choose a more client-centered practice area including family law, personal injury, or legal aid services.
What soft skills should all Attorneys At Law possess?
Jennifer Brobst: Two soft skills come to mind immediately: kindness and self-restraint. I have noticed that this generation of new attorneys is less accustomed to taking conflict in stride. What I mean is that in a social media world, one can overreact without facing the other person or simply walk away without responding to a text or post that seems confrontational or disrespectful. In person, there is usually no way to walk away without making the situation worse, so we get better and better at figuring out how to respond with kindness, humor, and patience. That is an excellent skill to have with clients who naturally feel stressed, or with overworked or overzealous opposing counsel or judges.
As to self-restraint, many ethics violations occur among attorneys who feel overwhelmed by their workload. Law school is the best place to learn how to figure out how to manage one's time, and to learn self-restraint -- i.e., when to stop and move on to the next task. This quality of self-restraint will not only help to make sure that new attorneys are reliable on behalf of their clients, but that they are happy with their job for the long-haul. There will always be more clients, but an attorney who knows their limits, but still gets the job done, will be glad to be an attorney throughout their career.
Jason Cieslik
Assistant Professor & Academic Advisor of Legal StudiesIllinois State University
Department of Politics & Government
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Attorneys At Law to find work opportunities?
Jason Cieslik: The old saying in the legal profession used to be that 80% of the available legal jobs are not posted. Attorneys communicated their need to hire a legal professional by word of mouth and in-person interaction at social legal functions. It's not certain that this old adage holds true today. Attorneys may be utilizing more traditional methods of posting job opportunities.
Jobs are available, but certain legal specialties may be thriving more than others. However, this cyclical trend tends to hold true regardless of whether the country is experiencing a pandemic or not. Rather than focusing on the specific location of where jobs are located around the country, it appears that legal professionals seeking employment should focus on areas of law that have work and need employees to complete that work. The great aspect of the legal profession is that attorneys and paralegals have always been more than willing to assist one another. Employment is no different. Legal professionals seeking work need to start making as many connections as possible with other legal professionals by phone, email, and other socially distant forms of communication to establish a network.
Hanna Royce
Assistant Dean of Career ServicesUniversity of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
Career Services Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Attorney At Law job market given the pandemic?
Hanna Royce: The pandemic has shown many law firms that their employees can work successfully in a remote environment. I expect to see more remote opportunities. Job seekers also need to be prepared to convey themselves professionally through virtual interviews.
What Attorney At Law skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Hanna Royce: The key to success is to add new and relevant legal experience to their resume. If graduates are not taking on full-time roles, this could mean completing document review or project work on a contract basis.
What general advice would you give to an Attorney At Law?
Hanna Royce: Graduates should keep their network active. This includes them taking the time to re-engage with the members of their network on a regular basis and continuing to make new contacts. They should make it a priority to stay in touch with their classmates and professors. They might be looking for a new position in the future, and their legal network can help them locate opportunities through the hidden job market.
Many graduates are securing remote positions. To be successful in a remote environment, employees need to make the extra effort to communicate and stay connected with colleagues. Even when employees are telecommuting, they should dress as if they are going into the office. This can help them with productivity and illustrate their professionalism when meeting with colleagues or clients.