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The differences between contract 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 a contract attorney and an assistant state attorney. Additionally, a contract attorney has an average salary of $97,474, which is higher than the $82,255 average annual salary of an assistant state attorney.
The top three skills for a contract attorney include litigation, e-discovery and legal research. The most important skills for an assistant state attorney are litigation, criminal cases, and appeals.
| Contract Attorney | Assistant State Attorney | |
| Yearly salary | $97,474 | $82,255 |
| Hourly rate | $46.86 | $39.55 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 13,592 | 9,855 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 57% | Doctoral Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Contract attorneys and assistant state attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Contract Attorney | Assistant State Attorney | |
| Average salary | $97,474 | $82,255 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $158,000 | Between $55,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Ramon, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Perkins Coie | State Attorney's Office |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a contract attorney and an assistant state attorney in terms of educational background:
| Contract Attorney | Assistant State Attorney | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 57% | Doctoral Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Law | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between contract attorneys' and assistant state attorneys' demographics:
| Contract Attorney | Assistant State Attorney | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1% | Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 10% | 10% |