Here's What Lawyers Should Make in 2016: How Do You Compare?
If you're considering bringing more lawyers into your practice, hiring support staff, or just want to see how your riches measure up against your neighbors', we've got good news for you. Robert Half Legal, the staffing agency, has released its 2016 Salary Guide. The guide breaks down typical salary ranges for a wide variety of legal careers, from attorneys in midsize firms with 7 years experience to compliance managers fresh out of school.
Here are our highlights. So grab a ruler, because it's time to see how you measure up.
Attorney Salaries
The survey breaks down attorney salaries by firm size and lawyer experience. The numbers represent only salary. Bonuses, perks, and other types of compensation are excluded.
| First Year Associate |
2016 Salary |
|---|---|
| Small firm |
55,250 - 79,500 |
| Small/midsize firm |
63,750 - 90,250 |
| Midsize firm |
81,250 - 112,750 |
| Lawyer (1-3 years exp) |
2016 Salary |
| Small firm |
61,750 - 93,500 |
| Small/midsize firm |
71,500 - 109,000 |
| Midsize firm |
94,000 - 128,750 |
| Lawyer (4-9 years exp) |
2016 Salary |
| Small firm |
81,000 - 138,500 |
| Small/midsize firm |
102,750 - 175,750 |
| Midsize firm |
135,000 - 205,500 |
| Lawyer (10+ years exp) |
2016 Salary |
| Small firm |
108,250 - 169,750 |
| Small/midsize firm |
139,500 - 193,750 |
| Midsize firm |
162,750 - 268,500 |
There's also a wealth of information on support staff. Want to hire an office manager? For a small firm, that will cost you between $55,250 and $71,750 in salary. An entry level legal assistant? $29,750 to $32,250.
In-Demand Practice Areas
There's more to the report than just salaries. According to Robert Half, these are the practice areas and positions that are currently in demand, with those most likely to generate new jobs in the next two years at the top:
- General litigation
- Business and corporate law
- Healthcare
- Real estate
- Intellectual property
- Compliance
- Contract administration
Why Lawyers Stick Around
Salary is just part of the reason attorneys show up for work every day. Factors like caring about your colleagues and enjoying your work also come into play. When lawyers were asked what, aside from compensation, provides the best incentives for staying with a firm, here's the factors they listed:
- Challenging work or variety of assignments, 39 percent
- Professional development opportunities, 26 percent
- Flexible work arrangements, 20 percent
- Corporate culture and work atmosphere, 3 percent
- Vacation or time-off policy, 3 percent
So there you have it. Firms looking to increase lawyer retention should offer a variety of assignments to lawyers who are completing P.D. while working from home. Forget about a collegial atmosphere and parental leave.
Related Resources:
- Lawyers Flee, Layoffs Follow After Biglaw Firm's Pay Problems (Above The Law)
- How Much Does it Cost to Hire a New Employee? Lots. (FindLaw's Strategist)
- 3 Mistakes Lawyers Make: Hiring a Legal Secretary (FindLaw's Strategist)
- You Don't Have to Be BigLaw to Hire Top Talent (FindLaw's Strategist)