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Summer law associate salary
Average summer law associate salary
$125,756
Average Summer Law Associate Salary
The role of a Summer Law Associate offers a competitive salary, averaging $125,756 annually. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, the size of the law firm, and the associate's level of experience. For instance, larger firms in metropolitan areas often pay more than smaller firms in rural settings.
Experience Level and Salary
Entry-level Summer Law Associates typically earn less than their more experienced counterparts. As they progress, associates can expect salary increases that reflect their growing expertise and contributions to the firm. For example, those with several summers of experience may earn approximately $140,000 per year.
Top Paying States
States like New York, California, and Illinois consistently rank as the highest paying for Summer Law Associates, with average salaries exceeding $150,000. This reflects the cost of living and the competitive market for legal talent in those regions.
Career Opportunities
Summer Law Associates not only gain valuable experience but also establish connections that can lead to full-time positions after graduation. Networking during summer internships can be crucial for landing future roles in prestigious law firms.
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Where can a Summer Law Associate earn more?
Summer law associate salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level summer law associate | $73,000 | $35.09 |
| Mid-level summer law associate | $88,100 | $42.34 |
| Senior-level summer law associate | $185,000 | $88.81 |
Summer law associate salary estimates from across the web
Average summer law associate salary by state
The average summer law associate salary in Massachusetts, Colorado, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average summer law associate salary states are Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for summer law associates
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $134,326 | $64.58 |
| 2 | Colorado | $130,076 | $62.54 |
| 3 | California | $128,285 | $61.68 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $133,662 | $64.26 |
| 5 | Illinois | $114,982 | $55.28 |
| 6 | Vermont | $113,811 | $54.72 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $124,505 | $59.86 |
| 8 | Washington | $112,893 | $54.28 |
| 9 | Michigan | $108,657 | $52.24 |
| 10 | New York | $126,979 | $61.05 |
| 11 | Arizona | $111,088 | $53.41 |
| 12 | Virginia | $111,903 | $53.80 |
| 13 | Delaware | $105,969 | $50.95 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $109,227 | $52.51 |
| 15 | Oregon | $112,908 | $54.28 |
| 16 | Utah | $109,646 | $52.71 |
| 17 | Texas | $108,472 | $52.15 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $96,129 | $46.22 |
| 19 | Iowa | $100,605 | $48.37 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $110,598 | $53.17 |
| 21 | Maryland | $112,366 | $54.02 |
| 22 | West Virginia | $101,851 | $48.97 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $93,936 | $45.16 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $104,393 | $50.19 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $95,149 | $45.74 |
| 26 | Alaska | $99,832 | $48.00 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $95,786 | $46.05 |
| 28 | Kansas | $91,184 | $43.84 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $96,672 | $46.48 |
| 30 | Georgia | $98,697 | $47.45 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $96,731 | $46.51 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $97,062 | $46.66 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $89,835 | $43.19 |
| 34 | Florida | $87,713 | $42.17 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $92,593 | $44.52 |
| 36 | Montana | $85,914 | $41.30 |
| 37 | Ohio | $91,421 | $43.95 |
| 38 | Idaho | $92,183 | $44.32 |
| 39 | Alabama | $90,986 | $43.74 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $90,195 | $43.36 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $87,094 | $41.87 |
| 42 | Nevada | $89,966 | $43.25 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $89,691 | $43.12 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $88,513 | $42.55 |
| 45 | Indiana | $84,174 | $40.47 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $81,516 | $39.19 |
| 47 | Missouri | $76,526 | $36.79 |
| 48 | Maine | $70,882 | $34.08 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $45,773 | $22.01 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $82,132 | $39.49 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $80,146 | $38.53 |
Highest paying cities for summer law associates
The highest-paying cities for summer law associates are Washington, DC, Boulder, CO, and White Plains, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $137,628 | $66.17 |
| 2 | Boulder, CO | $132,789 | $63.84 |
| 3 | White Plains, NY | $129,283 | $62.16 |
| 4 | Virginia Beach, VA | $112,460 | $54.07 |
| 5 | Miami, FL | $83,480 | $40.13 |
Summer law associate salary details
A summer law associate's salary ranges from $72,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $216,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a summer law associate's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $216,000 | $18,000 | $104 |
| 75th Percentile | $167,000 | $13,917 | $80 |
| Average | $125,756 | $10,480 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,000 | $7,833 | $45 |
| 10th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
Highest paying summer law associate jobs
The highest paying types of summer law associates are corporate counsel, associate counsel, and legal counsel.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $109,476 | $9,123 | $52.63 | 10,991 |
| Legal Counsel | $132,867 | $11,072 | $63.88 | 10,337 |
| Legal Extern | $47,238 | $3,937 | $22.71 | 10,986 |
| Housing Counselor | $78,730 | $6,561 | $37.85 | 33,639 |
| Corporate Counsel | $142,515 | $11,876 | $68.52 | 14,913 |
| Attorney At Law | $108,018 | $9,002 | $51.93 | 7,025 |
Top companies hiring summer law associates now:
Which companies pay summer law associates the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Debevoise & Plimpton | $194,918 | $93.71 |
| 2 | Mayer Brown | $191,646 | $92.14 |
| 3 | Regent University College Of Science And Technology | $79,517 | $38.23 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Summer law associate salary trends
The average summer law associate salary has risen by $13,494 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average summer law associate earned $112,262 annually, but today, they earn $125,756 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for summer law associates over the last decade.
Compare summer law associate salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average summer law associate salary over time
Compare summer law associate salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Summer law associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $126,000 | $60.46 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $122,000 | $58.57 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $120,000 | $57.59 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $118,000 | $56.80 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $117,000 | $56.28 | +2.0% |
Recently added summer law associate salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public School of North Carolina | Custodial Extended Summer Employment (Summer 2025) | Jacksonville, NC | 06/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| Manning Kass | Law and Motion Associate-Swat Team | San Jose, CA | 06/27/2025 | $130,000 |
| We Are Legal Revolution | Employment Law Associate Fully Remote | Up To | Amlaw200 | Award-Winning Culture | Top | Fresno, CA | 06/27/2025 | $180,000 |
| J.Sheppard Associates | Construction Law Associate W Years Law Firm Experience Negotiating Complex Agreements | New York, NY | 06/19/2025 | $225,000 |
| Jackson Lewis | Traditional Labor Law Associate | Sacramento, CA | 06/09/2025 | $204,500 |
| LHH | Family Law Associate | Bethesda, MD | 05/29/2025 | $145,000 |
| We Are Legal Revolution | ➡️ Labor & Employment Associate-Excellent Benefits + Bonuses 💰 Recognized In The 2025 Best Law FIR | San Diego, CA | 05/29/2025 | $190,000 |
| Manning Kass | Law and Motion Associate-Swat Team | San Jose, CA | 05/28/2025 | $130,000 |
| Jackson Lewis | Traditional Labor Law Associate | San Diego, CA | 05/13/2025 | $204,500 |
| Public School of North Carolina | Custodial Extended Summer Employment (Summer 2025) | Jacksonville, NC | 05/05/2025 | $35,479 |
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