Table of Contents
- Types of Corporate Lawyers
- Salaries of Corporate Lawyers
- High-Paying Positions for Corporate Lawyers
- Corporate Lawyer Salaries by Region
- Factors That Influence Corporate Lawyer Salaries
- Conclusion
Types of Corporate Lawyers
Corporate lawyers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some specialize in one area of law, while others practice many different fields. Common types of corporate lawyers include:
- Corporate transactional lawyers.
- Securities lawyers.
- Mergers and acquisitions lawyers.
- Labor and employment lawyers.
- Antitrust lawyers.
- Construction lawyers.
- Intellectual property lawyers.
No matter what type of corporate lawyer you are, there are always opportunities to make a good living.
Salaries of Corporate Lawyers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates the median annual wage for lawyers in the United States was $122,960 in 2019. This means that half of all lawyers in the US earned more than this amount and half earned less.
High-Paying Positions for Corporate Lawyers
The highest-paying positions for corporate lawyers are often found in large cities and legal markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, and Washington D.C. These positions typically involve working for large law firms or corporations.
Lawyers who work for top-tier firms often earn much more than the median salary. According to Glassdoor, corporate lawyers working for top firms in New York City can earn up to $205,000 per year.
Corporate Lawyer Salaries by Region
Salaries for corporate lawyers vary significantly depending on the region. According to Glassdoor, the highest-paying cities for corporate lawyers are:
- San Francisco – $173,000
- New York – $166,000
- Los Angeles – $155,000
- Chicago – $140,000
- Houston – $132,000
- Washington D.C. – $129,000
The lowest-paying cities for corporate lawyers are:
- San Antonio – $107,000
- Dallas – $109,000
- Atlanta – $110,000
- Minneapolis – $112,000
- Philadelphia – $113,000
- Boston – $115,000
Factors That Influence Corporate Lawyer Salaries
There are several factors that influence corporate lawyer salaries. These include:
- Location – Corporate lawyers in large cities tend to make more than those in smaller towns.
- Experience – Lawyers with more experience tend to make more than those with less experience.
- Type of firm – Lawyers who work for large law firms typically make more than those who work for small firms.
- Education – Corporate lawyers who have a higher degree (such as a JD or MBA) usually make more than those without.
- Specialty – Certain areas of law (such as securities or mergers and acquisitions) typically come with a higher salary.
- Size of firm – Lawyers who work for large corporations typically make more than those who work for smaller companies.
Corporate lawyers are well-compensated for the complexity and responsibility of their domain. It’s clear the profession can lead to a high salary.