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As of October 2025, the average salary for an Associate Professor of Law in the United States is approximately $78,437 per year, which translates to around $38 per hour. This figure can vary significantly depending on several factors, including geographic location and the specific institution.
Location plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. For instance, states like California and New York often offer higher compensation due to the cost of living and demand for legal education. Experience is another vital factor; professors with more years in academia tend to earn higher wages.
Associate Professors of Law are typically employed at universities and colleges, where they engage in teaching, research, and community service. Pursuing advanced degrees, publishing research, and participating in professional organizations can enhance career prospects and salary potential.
For those considering a career as an Associate Professor of Law, understanding these salary dynamics is essential for making informed career choices. Researching specific institutions and regions can provide valuable insights into potential earnings.
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The highest-paying states for associate professors of law are Maine, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The lowest average associate professor of law salary states are Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $120,554 | $57.96 |
| 2 | Maine | $119,241 | $57.33 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $112,268 | $53.98 |
| 4 | New York | $110,695 | $53.22 |
| 5 | Virginia | $111,228 | $53.48 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $116,070 | $55.80 |
| 7 | Vermont | $105,339 | $50.64 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $106,225 | $51.07 |
| 10 | Utah | $100,996 | $48.56 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $106,613 | $51.26 |
| 12 | Illinois | $105,271 | $50.61 |
| 13 | Nebraska | $93,465 | $44.94 |
| 14 | Alaska | $94,974 | $45.66 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $106,616 | $51.26 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $105,146 | $50.55 |
| 17 | Oregon | $92,983 | $44.70 |
| 18 | North Carolina | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| 19 | North Dakota | $98,694 | $47.45 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $85,322 | $41.02 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $92,878 | $44.65 |
| 22 | Washington | $96,343 | $46.32 |
| 23 | Mississippi | $84,476 | $40.61 |
| 24 | Delaware | $101,324 | $48.71 |
| 25 | California | $100,010 | $48.08 |
| 26 | Missouri | $91,954 | $44.21 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $85,735 | $41.22 |
| 28 | Ohio | $84,611 | $40.68 |
| 29 | Colorado | $81,325 | $39.10 |
| 30 | Maryland | $95,971 | $46.14 |
| 31 | Iowa | $78,368 | $37.68 |
| 32 | Arizona | $89,994 | $43.27 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $76,051 | $36.56 |
| 34 | Michigan | $77,625 | $37.32 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $71,001 | $34.14 |
| 36 | Alabama | $74,812 | $35.97 |
| 37 | Nevada | $84,516 | $40.63 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $69,352 | $33.34 |
| 39 | Kansas | $72,539 | $34.87 |
| 40 | Montana | $71,624 | $34.43 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $73,243 | $35.21 |
| 42 | Texas | $67,980 | $32.68 |
| 43 | Indiana | $73,189 | $35.19 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $70,706 | $33.99 |
| 45 | Idaho | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| 46 | Florida | $70,888 | $34.08 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $65,217 | $31.35 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $52,799 | $25.38 |
| 49 | Georgia | $66,945 | $32.19 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $58,042 | $27.90 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $56,295 | $27.06 |
The highest-paying cities for associate professors of law are Washington, DC, Richmond, VA, and Sacramento, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $122,780 | $59.03 |
| 2 | Richmond, VA | $112,328 | $54.00 |
| 3 | Sacramento, CA | $112,024 | $53.86 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $111,775 | $53.74 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $107,474 | $51.67 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $106,703 | $51.30 |
| 7 | Durham, NC | $102,356 | $49.21 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City, UT | $100,925 | $48.52 |
| 9 | Lincoln, NE | $92,974 | $44.70 |
| 10 | Tucson, AZ | $87,293 | $41.97 |
| 11 | Boulder, CO | $81,567 | $39.21 |
| 12 | Des Moines, IA | $77,125 | $37.08 |
| 13 | Milwaukee, WI | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| 14 | Valparaiso, IN | $75,328 | $36.22 |
| 15 | Missoula, MT | $73,542 | $35.36 |
| 16 | Moscow, ID | $72,353 | $34.79 |
| 17 | Tampa, FL | $71,793 | $34.52 |
| 18 | Baton Rouge, LA | $69,315 | $33.32 |
| 19 | Houston, TX | $66,761 | $32.10 |
An associate professor of law's salary ranges from $41,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $147,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $147,000 | $12,250 | $71 |
| 75th Percentile | $109,000 | $9,083 | $52 |
| Average | $78,437 | $6,536 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| 10th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
The highest paying types of associate professors of law are professor, law professor, and associate professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement Technician | $44,124 | $3,677 | $21.21 | 6,659 |
| Justice | $53,502 | $4,459 | $25.72 | 1,014 |
| Criminal Justice Instructor | $52,523 | $4,377 | $25.25 | 24,893 |
| Professor | $157,570 | $13,131 | $75.75 | 21,861 |
Top companies hiring associate professors of law now:
Associate professor of law salaries at Seyfarth Shaw and Debevoise & Plimpton are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average associate professor of law salary at companies like Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and Mayer Brown are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seyfarth Shaw | $227,428 | $109.34 |
| 2 | Debevoise & Plimpton | $221,284 | $106.39 |
| 3 | Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman | $212,152 | $102.00 |
| 4 | Mayer Brown | $210,907 | $101.40 |
| 5 | Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith | $191,811 | $92.22 |
| 6 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $178,700 | $85.91 |
| 7 | The City University of New York | $129,248 | $62.14 |
| 8 | Georgetown University | $107,985 | $51.92 |
| 9 | Fordham University | $103,801 | $49.90 |
| 10 | University of Colorado Boulder | $103,799 | $49.90 |
| 11 | University of Arizona Foundation | $100,057 | $48.10 |
| 12 | Florida International University | $99,877 | $48.02 |
| 13 | JBA International | $92,473 | $44.46 |
| 14 | University of Nebraska System | $92,259 | $44.36 |
| 15 | Golden Gate University | $90,353 | $43.44 |
| 16 | LA State University Continuing | $89,232 | $42.90 |
| 17 | University of Idaho | $89,085 | $42.83 |
| 18 | PSEA | $88,818 | $42.70 |
| 19 | University of Virginia | $85,859 | $41.28 |
| 20 | Lee Law Offices | $81,254 | $39.06 |
The average associate professor of law salary has risen by $5,035 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average associate professor of law earned $73,402 annually, but today, they earn $78,437 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for associate professors of law over the last decade.
Compare associate professor of law salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare associate professor of law salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $78,400 | $37.71 | +1.1% |
| 2025 | $77,600 | $37.29 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $76,400 | $36.73 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $74,500 | $35.84 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $73,500 | $35.35 | +1.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halligan | Associate for Family Law Firm | Denver, CO | 06/27/2025 | $130,000 |
| Staff Openings | Assistant/Associate Professor of LAW, Director, Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic | South Royalton, VT | 06/27/2025 | $90,000 |
| Vermont Law School | Assistant/Associate Professor of LAW, Director, Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic | South Royalton, VT | 06/26/2025 | $90,000 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Director of Trial Advocacy Programs and Associate Clinical Professor of Law | Ione, CA | 05/29/2025 | $125,000 |
| We Are Legal Revolution | ➡️ Labor & Employment Associate-Excellent Benefits + Bonuses 💰 Recognized In The 2025 Best Law FIR | Los Angeles, CA | 05/29/2025 | $190,000 |
| Manning Kass | Law and Motion Associate-Swat Team | San Diego, CA | 05/27/2025 | $130,000 |
| Northeastern University | Assistant/Associate/Full Professor, School of Law | Boston, MA | 05/25/2025 | $213,000 |
| Fox Rothschild LLP | Family Law Associate | Los Angeles, CA | 05/24/2025 | $225,000 |
| Jackson Lewis | Traditional Labor Law Associate | Los Angeles, CA | 05/13/2025 | $216,500 |
| Northeastern University | Assistant/Associate/Full Professor, School of Law | Boston, MA | 04/29/2025 | $213,000 |
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