Talking about lawyers’ income seems to be endless. As a profession that demands high time and ability to fulfill client requests, it is common knowledge that the fees received by lawyers are directly proportional to the pressure they get. Based on the results of a survey released by glasdoor.com, lawyers even came out as the profession with the second highest salary in America this year.
Hoping not to lose the best potential and talent that may be obtained as office assets, law firms in America do not hesitate to compete to provide the greatest compensation for their lawyers. So, do not be surprised if recently there is a trend of salary increases in the middle of the year.
For information, some time ago one of the leading law firms in the United States, Cravath Swaine & Moore, announced an increase in the fee that will be received by its lawyer. Partner Cravath said that the increase would be effective from July 1, 2016. Just a few days later, ABAJournal noted that nine other firms had followed suit with the same salary standard.
RobertHalf, a job vacancy provider, annually releases a salary guidebook to help employers compete in their industry and work area. Through an e-book entitled 2016 Salary Guide, RobertHalf also presents the average salary of lawyers.
Divided by the size of a law firm, here is the average salary earned by US and Canadian lawyers:
| +10 Years Experience | United States (in US$) | Canada (in US$) |
| Big law firm | 194,250 – 279,500 | 206.750 – 298.750 |
| Medium law firm | 162,750 – 268,500 | 165,250 – 233,500 |
| Medium law firm | 139,500 – 193,750 | 139,750 – 203,250 |
| Small law firm | 108,250 – 169,750 | 115,250 – 166,500 |
| 4-9 Years Experience | ||
| Big law firm | 162,250 – 228,750 | 143,000 – 259,250 |
| Medium law firm | 135,000 – 205,500 | 124.750 – 218.500 |
| Medium law firm | 102.750 – 175.750 | 97,500 – 170,500 |
| Small law firm | 81,000 – 138,500 | 80,250 – 137,000 |
| 1-3 Years Experience | ||
| Big law firm | 120,750 – 162,250 | 97,750 – 130,250 |
| Medium law firm | 94,000 – 128,750 | 77,500 – 121,000 |
| Medium law firm | 71,500 – 109,000 | 75,000 – 109,250 |
| Small law firm | 61,750 – 93,500 | 58,250 – 88,750 |
| 0-1 Year Experience | ||
| Big law firm | 116,000 – 143,500 | 87,250 – 99,750 |
| Medium law firm | 81,250 – 112,750 | 68,250 – 85,250 |
| Medium law firm | 63,750 – 90,250 | 67,750 – 74,500 |
| Small law firm | 55,250 – 79,500 | 51,500 – 69,750 |
Based on the table above, it is known that in general the salary received by United States lawyers is greater than the salary received by lawyers from countries located in the northernmost region of the Americas. The exception is only lawyers who have more than 10 years of experience. Canada values senior lawyers with a higher number than the United States.
In addition, as mentioned above, it is also important to know the salary trends by region, RobertHalf also displays the average salary of each state in the United States and Canada. For Canada, the area with the highest lawyer income is Toronto, Ontario. While in the United States is San Francisco, California with a figure of US $ 138 thousand per year.
The fact that it is not New York that provides the highest salaries for its lawyers is surprising. Because New York is known as the business center in America. In addition, giant law firms with worldwide operations such as DLA Piper, Jones Day, Dentons, Latham & Watkins, and White Case are headquartered there.