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Attorney vs assistant state attorney

The differences between attorneys and assistant state attorneys can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an attorney and an assistant state attorney. Additionally, an attorney has an average salary of $109,476, which is higher than the $82,255 average annual salary of an assistant state attorney.

The top three skills for an attorney include litigation, legal research and law firm. The most important skills for an assistant state attorney are litigation, criminal cases, and appeals.

Attorney vs assistant state attorney overview

AttorneyAssistant State Attorney
Yearly salary$109,476$82,255
Hourly rate$52.63$39.55
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs10,9919,855
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 48%Doctoral Degree, 51%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does an attorney do?

Generally, an attorney's responsibility is to advise the client with an ongoing lawsuit on the legal procedures and provide strategies to resolve the case as early as possible. An attorney compiles necessary documents or any records for appeal and client's defense. Attorneys must acquire strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to mediate disputes and settle pending litigation for the client's best interest. In some cases, an attorney's procedure depends on any evidence and research presented during the trial period. An attorney is expected to present clients on legal proceedings, seeking justice and justifying the law.

What does an assistant state attorney do?

An Assistant Staff Attorney performs a wide range of clerical and administrative work that requires knowledge of legal terms, documents, and procedures. They also communicate with clients to keep them informed on case progress.

Attorney vs assistant state attorney salary

Attorneys and assistant state attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.

AttorneyAssistant State Attorney
Average salary$109,476$82,255
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $172,000Between $55,000 And $122,000
Highest paying CityWhite Plains, NYOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyThompson CoburnState Attorney's Office
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between attorney and assistant state attorney education

There are a few differences between an attorney and an assistant state attorney in terms of educational background:

AttorneyAssistant State Attorney
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 48%Doctoral Degree, 51%
Most common majorLawLaw
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Attorney vs assistant state attorney demographics

Here are the differences between attorneys' and assistant state attorneys' demographics:

AttorneyAssistant State Attorney
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 49.9% Female, 50.1%Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between attorney and assistant state attorney duties and responsibilities

Attorney example responsibilities.

  • Manage the death administration department with approximately thirty-five plus estates through trust administration, Medicaid estate recovery or probate.
  • Respond to subpoenas and pleadings in litigation and in regulatory inquiries and investigations involving corporate clients.
  • Represent employers before federal administrative agencies, including inspections, administrative litigation, court-enforcement actions and appeals.
  • Litigate personal injury, and general liability matters, worker's compensation, estate planning and litigation, environmental liability litigation.
  • Create and give a presentation regarding non- attorney ethics to division staff.
  • Comply with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity
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Assistant state attorney example responsibilities.

  • Manage all phases of criminal investigations including grand jury subpoenas and witness testimony.
  • Provide training to other assistant state's attorneys on DUI topics and general trial technique
  • Prosecute misdemeanor and felony traffic offenses that include DUI, narcotics, and fleeing/eluding police.
  • Draft appellate responses to misdemeanor appeals
  • Research and draft several successful appeals.
  • Review cases, prepare discovery, and issue subpoenas under statutorily impose deadlines.
  • Show more

Attorney vs assistant state attorney skills

Common attorney skills
  • Litigation, 19%
  • Legal Research, 9%
  • Law Firm, 8%
  • Legal Issues, 6%
  • Legal Advice, 5%
  • Juris, 4%
Common assistant state attorney skills
  • Litigation, 16%
  • Criminal Cases, 10%
  • Appeals, 7%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Criminal Division, 5%
  • District Court, 5%