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Job outlook for estate planning attorneys in the United States
Are estate planning attorney jobs in demand?
Estate planning attorney job and salary trends over time
Estate planning attorney jobs over time
Estate planning attorney job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 344 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 332 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 332 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 324 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 317 | 0.00% |
Average estate planning attorney salary over time
Estate planning attorney salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $81,446 | $39.16 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $78,899 | $37.93 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $77,584 | $37.30 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $76,518 | $36.79 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $75,819 | $36.45 | +2.0% |
Estate planning attorney jobs by state
Most common states for estate planning attorneys
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 212 | 31% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 994 | 14% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 102 | 11% |
| 4 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 358 | 10% |
| 5 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 319 | 10% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 129 | 10% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 54 | 9% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 86 | 8% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 837 | 7% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 39 | 7% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 549 | 6% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 420 | 6% |
| 13 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 401 | 6% |
| 14 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 289 | 6% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 118 | 6% |
| 16 | New York | 19,849,399 | 967 | 5% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 417 | 5% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 283 | 5% |
| 19 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 224 | 5% |
| 20 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 205 | 5% |
Most common cities for estate planning attorneys
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarasota | 1 | 2% | $75,265 |
| 2 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $86,444 |
| 3 | Pleasanton | 1 | 1% | $103,631 |
| 4 | Worcester | 1 | 1% | $114,442 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $95,385 |
Estate Planning Attorney job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of estate planning attorney experts
University of North Dakota
Rollins College
University of Cincinnati
Georgia State University
Lewis and Clark School of Law
What Estate Planning Attorney 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 Estate Planning Attorneys 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 Estate Planning Attorney?
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 will help Estate Planning Attorneys 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.
Mike Gunter Ph.D.
Director, Holt International AffairsRollins College
International Relations Faculty
What hard/technical skills are most important for Estate Planning Attorneys?
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 hard/technical skills are most important for Estate Planning Attorneys?
James Tomaszewski: Excellent writing skills.
What skills will help Estate Planning Attorneys earn the most?
James Tomaszewski: Hard work, excellent writing, and interpersonal finesse.
What skills stand out on Estate Planning Attorney resumes?
James Tomaszewski: Demonstrated commitment to a particular practice area, especially experiential learning opportunities such as externships and clinics.
What soft skills should all Estate Planning Attorneys possess?
James Tomaszewski: Engagement, Resilience, Responsiveness, Respectfulness, Integrity.
Brenda Wakefield
Director, Philip C. Cook Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, Mark and Evelyn Trammell Professor & Clinical Professor of LawGeorgia State University
College of Law
What skills will help Estate Planning Attorneys earn the most?
Brenda Wakefield: Regarding maximizing earning potential, I think the most important thing that a tax attorney can do is take a long view of how a career can progress. On the one hand, some attorneys seek to maximize earnings right away in large law firms, and there are certainly many benefits to taking that approach. However, many firms value attorneys who have spent some time working for the government, either for the IRS, the Department of Justice Tax Division, the Joint Committee on Taxation, or the United States Tax Court. While government salaries typically are not as high as those found in the private sector, attorneys who have spent time in government service often find that when they choose to enter the private sector, their government experience allows them to command a premium in compensation that they receive from either law or accounting firms.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Estate Planning Attorneys?
Brenda Wakefield: Regarding hard/technical skills, there is a misperception that tax attorneys need to have strong backgrounds in mathematics, accounting, or finance. While these backgrounds can certainly be useful, they are by no means required. Really, the most important technical skills are an ability to read statutory language very closely and carefully; the ability to recognize when the tax code provides a clear answer to a question and when the code might suggest multiple answers; strong research, writing, logic, and problem-solving skills; and keen attention to detail.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Estate Planning Attorneys?
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 Estate Planning Attorneys?
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.