Lawyer salaries vary widely depending on factors such as location, experience, type of employer, and firm size. Here is an overview based on recent data:

• In the United States, the median annual salary for lawyers was about $151,160 in May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

. Other sources report median salaries ranging from approximately $135,740 to $176,470 per year, reflecting variation in data and recent wage increases

• Entry-level lawyers' salaries depend heavily on the size of the law firm. For example, median starting salaries in 2023 ranged from $155,000 at firms with 100 or fewer lawyers to $215,000 at firms with more than 700 lawyers

• Experienced lawyers, especially those with eight or more years of practice, can earn significantly more. Median salaries for eighth-year lawyers at large firms (1,000+ lawyers) can reach around $395,000 annually

• Geographic location also impacts earnings. Lawyers in metropolitan areas like San Jose, CA, and Washington, DC, earn some of the highest wages, with annual means exceeding $220,000 to $268,000

• Salary ranges vary widely: the 10th percentile of lawyers earn around $66,470 per year, while the top 10% earn $239,200 or more annually

• In the UK, salaries for solicitors vary from about £20,000-£40,000 for trainees to upwards of £150,000 for newly qualified lawyers at top firms

In summary, lawyers in the U.S. typically earn between roughly $66,000 at the low end to over $300,000 at the high end, with a median around $150,000. Salaries increase with experience, firm size, and location, with top earners in large metropolitan areas and prestigious firms making substantially more