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The differences between attorneys and contract 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 a contract attorney. Additionally, an attorney has an average salary of $109,476, which is higher than the $97,474 average annual salary of a contract attorney.
The top three skills for an attorney include litigation, legal research and law firm. The most important skills for a contract attorney are litigation, e-discovery, and legal research.
| Attorney | Contract Attorney | |
| Yearly salary | $109,476 | $97,474 |
| Hourly rate | $52.63 | $46.86 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 10,991 | 13,592 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 48% | Doctoral Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A contract attorney is responsible for handling their clients' legal issues and settling cases by researching, analyzing, and collecting essential files that would support the clients' claims. Contract attorneys usually work for private clients without being permanently employed in a law firm or government agency. Contract attorneys represent clients at court, assist with law proceedings, and advise clients for the necessary legal procedures. A contract attorney must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to manage client legal matters and expertise in traditional disciplines and processes.
Attorneys and contract attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Attorney | Contract Attorney | |
| Average salary | $109,476 | $97,474 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $172,000 | Between $60,000 And $158,000 |
| Highest paying City | White Plains, NY | San Ramon, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Thompson Coburn | Perkins Coie |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an attorney and a contract attorney in terms of educational background:
| Attorney | Contract Attorney | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 48% | Doctoral Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Law | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between attorneys' and contract attorneys' demographics:
| Attorney | Contract Attorney | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 75.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |