25 Highest Paid Lawyers by Field – 2025

Becoming a lawyer requires a lot of hard work. Of course, while earning acceptance to law school is the first step in the process, graduates must maintain a degree of quality in their work post-graduation. While graduating from a top law school like Yale or Harvard will certainly qualify a candidate to be a highest paid lawyer, any lawyer in a specialized field will have the opportunity to earn big. We will explore the highest paid lawyers by field/type in a moment.

A lawyer’s job is to fuse their analytical and research skills with their ability to communicate with their client and persevere in difficult cases. The highest paid lawyer is one who excels in their field and also navigates these challenges with precision.

Essentially, when lawyers assume greater responsibility, their pay is likely to increase. For example, instead of working on an individual, case-by-case basis, working for a major corporation or establishment or high-profile client is sure to result in a salary to match.

But, where do the highest paid lawyers live? Where are the greatest opportunities for advancement?

Best-Paying States for Lawyers

Lawyers require consistent business to earn their salary. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the highest paid lawyers are often those who live in major cities.

For example, California is home to the top two metropolitan cities with the highest paying salaries for lawyers. San Jose ($267,840/year) and San Francisco ($239,330 /year) top the list for the best-paying cities for lawyers. In addition, lawyers in the state of California earn a mean salary of $201,530/year.

However, Washington, D.C. is another prime city for lawyers looking to earn a competitive salary. In fact, lawyers in the District of Columbia earn the highest mean salary of anywhere in country, with $226,510/year. As the nation’s capital and political hub, this location makes sense as the top earning contender on the list.

Massachusetts ($196,230), New York ($188,900), and Connecticut ($174,520) round out the list for the states with the highest paid lawyers, based on mean salary.

So, now that we know where the highest paid lawyers live, let’s take a look at the law specializations that earn the most. We’ll also provide a brief overview of the job descriptions, so that you have a better idea of what the job entails.

Highest Paid Lawyers by Field

1) Privacy Attorney

Average Salary: $132,500-$196,500/year

A privacy attorney works closely with businesses to advise on complicated national and international privacy laws. Essentially, privacy attorneys guide businesses to ensure they are up-to-date on relevant data privacy regulations. These attorneys may work with a variety of companies in the health, financial, retail, or other fields. Their role is to ensure sensitive data is secure against any potential breaches.

2) Chief Legal Officer

Average Salary: $125,000-$195,000/year

Chief Legal Officers are experts on how to minimize a company’s legal risks to prevent litigation suits. They work to advise executives and provide direction on any pressing legal or regulatory problems which may arise. Additionally, a CLO may also oversee the company’s in-house counsel and work alongside them to resolve legal issues.

Highest Paid Lawyers by Type (Continued)

3) Real Estate Attorney

Average Salary: $135,989/year

Real estate attorneys may prepare, oversee, and/or review any documents or contracts related to property buying. They have extensive knowledge about real estate transactions on many different property types. Additionally, they can handle the exchange of titles and settle disputes between buyers and sellers. Real estate attorneys may also be required to be present during the closing process.

4) Mergers and Acquisitions Attorney

Average Salary: $134,000-$170,500/year

If a company is looking to merge with another company, they will likely hire a mergers and acquisitions attorney. M&A lawyers assist with all aspects of the process, like drafting contracts, negotiations, and financial considerations. Most work that M&A lawyers complete is for mid- to large-sized companies and corporations. These deals can be complex, especially when they involve multiple states, international companies, and significant stock considerations.

5) In House Counsel

Average Salary: $118,500-$172,000/year

Attorneys who are hired as in-house counsel are employed by one specific company to handle that company’s legal proceedings and concerns. This type of attorney works closely with the company’s operations and provides guidance when the company is threatened with litigation. In-house counsel may consist of one lawyer or many lawyers, depending on the size of the company.

Highest paid lawyer types – cont’d

6) Environmental Attorney

Average Salary: $117,000-$149,000/year

Environmental attorneys can work with individuals, companies, and agencies. They act as environmental advocates and can represent issues related to clean energy, air, and technology, and climate change. These lawyers work to enforce laws related to how humans interact with their natural surroundings.

7) Civil Litigation Attorney

Average Salary: $116,954/year

Civil litigation involves cases that are not criminal in nature. Therefore, these lawyers are trained and prepared to handle any dispute that is not related to criminal actions. For example, any kind of injury claim, civil rights case, employment discrimination, or corporate matters are issues a civil litigator may try in court. While these litigators can practice in many areas, they can also specialize in one distinct interest.

Highest Paid Lawyers by Type (Continued)

8) Patent Attorney

Average Salary: $112,000-$175,000/year

Because patents are based on obtaining the right to one’s own intellectual property, it makes sense that patent attorneys specialize in property rights and intellectual property law. Because of their specialization, these attorneys must also pass the United States Patent and Trademark Office exam in addition to the bar exam. Patent attorneys specialize in only patents and not other forms of intellectual property.

9) General Counsel

Average Salary: $108,500-$190,000/year

A general counsel works as the primary attorney for a company and serves as the lead source for legal advice. These lawyers can work closely with shareholders and the board to advise during legal proceedings and oversee day-to-day operations. Essentially, general counsel is familiar with all aspects of the company and can be called upon to advise for “general” issues.

10) Deputy General Counsel

Average Salary: $111,500-$167,000/year

A deputy general counsel is second-in-command to the general counsel. At this level, deputy generals work alongside general counsel to provide legal advice, conduct research, prepare and oversee documents, and even appear in court. Typically, deputy general counsel works within the business field and represents companies.

Highest paid lawyer types – cont’d

11) Personal Injury Lawyer

Average Salary: $106,172/year

After getting seriously injured, personal injury lawyers can investigate your case and represent you in court. These lawyers represent those individuals who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, like the result of a car accident. Personal injury can also account for psychological and emotional damages following a traumatic incident.

12) Insurance Attorney

Average Salary: $106,000-$159,000/year

Insurance attorneys represent both insurance companies and also policyholders within the company. They work to settle claim disputes and any court proceedings following these disputes. Essentially, these attorneys work to minimize the amount of damages owed by an insurance company, or contrarily, work to maximize the amount a client is owed.

13) Regulatory Attorney

Average Salary: $100,000-$166,00/year

Regulatory attorneys work to advise clients to ensure clients follow the laws for their industry. Some of their responsibilities include advising clients on business transactions, reviewing and researching laws, and representing clients during legal proceedings.

Highest Paid Lawyers by Type (Continued)

14) Workers Compensation Attorney

Average Salary: $100,000-$163,500/year

Worker’s compensation is a form of insurance to help ensure that employees receive proper medical treatment following an accident or injury at the workplace. Workers compensation attorneys work to recover the maximum amount of benefits for their clients if an insurance company attempts to discredit them and not pay the full amount owed.

15) Employment Law Associate

Average Salary: $99,547/year

An employment attorney may have an employer client who is their sole client. In this case, the employment attorney is accountable to one person and oversees their personal legal proceedings. Additionally, they can also work for companies.

Highest paid lawyer types – cont’d

16) Tax Attorney

Average Salary: $97,777/year

Tax attorneys are well-versed on all current taxation laws. They are finance professionals who can represent a client in front of the IRS, advise clients of current tax laws, and even advise on more personal documentation, like wills and trusts. Additionally, they can serve at audit hearings.

17) Intellectual Property Attorney

Average Salary: $97,599/year

Not to be confused with a patent lawyer, intellectual property attorneys work to ensure that companies and individuals retain ownership of their ideas and associated materials, or blueprints. These attorneys can represent their clients in court and help to draft licensing contracts and agreements. Intellectual property can include trademarks and copywriting materials and addressing unfair competition.

Highest Paid Lawyers by Fields (Continued)

18) Family Lawyer

Average Salary: $93,821/year

Family lawyers work to advise families on the matter of marriage, divorce, and matters involving children’s wellbeing. They can also advise in situations involving adoption or custody disagreements. Family lawyers can draft wills, pre- or post-nuptial agreements, and custody agreements.

Highest Paid Lawyers by Type (Continued)

19) Legal Advisor

Average Salary: $92,000-$128,000/year

In the workplace, legal advisors assist companies with their legal counsel. Usually, legal advisers work for larger corporations. Essentially, legal advisors are responsible for overseeing all matters related to their specific company or organization.

20) Contract Attorney

Average Salary: $89,500-$139,000/year

Contract attorneys may step in if there is a disagreement regarding an agreement between two parties. They may also help to create contracts that work to be mutually beneficial to all those involved in the disagreement. Mostly, their work consists of reviewing and drafting legal contracts.

Highest paid lawyer types– cont’d

21) Associate Attorney

Average Salary: $80,000-$130,000/year

Associates are lawyers early in their careers. They typically choose to work for established law firms to gain more experience in their field. After passing the bar and completing law school, a practicing lawyer may be considered an associate.

22) Attorney General

Average Salary: $78,500-$132,000

Employees for their state, attorney generals work as legal counsel for their state government. They work to represent the interests of their state in the public sector. Attorney generals are elected by their constituents.

23) Bankruptcy Attorney

Average Salary: $76,000-$187,000/year

Bankruptcy attorneys are responsible for finding, gathering, and organizing, and essential documents and materials related to their client’s financial records. These attorneys can represent either companies or individuals. Debtors are responsible for providing their lawyer with relevant information, such as income, expenses, and assets.

Highest Paid Lawyers by Field (Continued)

24) Immigration Lawyer

Average Salary: $77,752/year

Immigration lawyers can work with individuals, families, and even governmental agencies. These lawyers can act as representatives for clients who need assistance completing necessary documentation, like visa applications. Immigration lawyers can also provide legal counsel in court, if necessary.

25) Healthcare Attorney

Average Salary: $65,500-$120,000/year

In this role, healthcare attorneys can work with clients who are healthcare providers, like doctors, and also medical companies, medical device manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies. These lawyers help these professionals navigate the changing laws and regulations relating to healthcare and advise on legal and ethical proceedings.

Highest Paid Lawyer – In Review

When selecting which law school to apply to, the rankings of the institution can be a contributing factor. For example, choosing one of the T14 law schools  is sure to make your application stand out among a competitive application school.

T14 stands for the Top 14 law schools. These institutions have a long history of preparing students for prestigious, likely high-intensity jobs. However, these rigorous academic programs and careers also mean a higher earning potential.

Schools like Stanford University, University of Chicago Law School, and Duke University shape half of the top 5 schools on the list. While admission standards are competitive, a degree from one of these institutions will impress future employers.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading about the highest paid lawyers and what these jobs require. Remember, becoming a lawyer in any field means dedication, financial planning, and a whole lot of studying!

Additional Resources

• 50 Easiest Law Schools to Get Into
• Law School Requirements and Prerequisites 
• Law School Personal Statement with Examples