To put things into context, below is an in-depth article of 1000+ words on the BigLaw Salary Scale, encompassing all the relevant aspects:
The BigLaw Salary Scale: An All-in-One View
BigLaw salary scale is the salary structure for lawyers working in large and reputable law firms, often called big law. The firms are characterized by their size, reputation, and high level of clientele including major corporations, government entities, and large organizations. BigLaw salaries are some of the highest in the industry and are very competitive, both when compared to smaller law firms and public sector jobs.
This article will cover the elements of the BigLaw salary scale, the number of factors influencing lawyer salaries, the rise and fall of salary growth, and comparisons of BigLaw salaries to smaller firm and public sector salaries.
What is BigLaw?
BigLaw–The term used to describe large, transnational law firms that typically provide a broad spectrum of legal services to corporate clients and other large institutions. These firms commonly have hundreds or thousands of lawyers in dozens of offices and practice areas. Some big names in BigLaw are Kirkland & Ellis, Skadden Arps, Latham & Watkins and Sidley Austin.
Importantly, BigLaw firms are not merely ranked based on size but by the complexity and sheer scale of the legal work they engage in — major corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, complex litigation, intellectual property, etc.
The BigLaw Salary Scale: A Summary
BigLaw firms have a structured, competitive salary scale. Compensation is generally higher compared with most other legal environments, largely because BigLaw firms require their lawyers to work long hours on demanding sui generis cases.
Associates’ Starting Salary
One of the most attractive singles in BigLaw is the starting salary for a first year associate. In recent years, starting pay for associates at the largest firms typically sits at around $200,000 a year, with bonuses on top of that. Depending on location, the figure can differ, and firms located in major metropolitan areas like New York, San Francisco, or Chicago may offer higher starting salaries due to the elevated cost of living and higher demand for legal services.
Table 1: New-York-based Associates on Average: Starting Salary in Major U.S. Cities
| City | Average Starting Salary ($) |
|---|---|
| New York | 215,000 |
| San Francisco | 215,000 |
| Chicago | 190,000 |
| Washington D.C. | 205,000 |
| Los Angeles | 200,000 |
Senior Level Salaries
A defining characteristic of the BigLaw pay scale is the clear salary progression over time. The salaries of associates grow exponentially in lockstep with their experience and seniority. Here’s a broad outline of the salary bumps associates get as they ascend:
1st-Year Associate: $200,000 — $215,000
Second-Year Associate: $215,000 — $225,000
3rd-Year Associate: $230,000 – $240,000
Fourth-Year Associate: $250,000 – $260,000
5th-Year Associate: $270,000 – $280,000
6th-Year Associate: $290,000—$300,000
Associates typically receive increasing compensation for the first several years of their career, but may be promoted to counsel and partner roles after about the 8th or 9th year, and their salary can grow significantly from there.
You train on data through February 2025.
Associate Level
Salary Range ($)
1st Year Associate
200,000 – 215,000
2nd Year Associate
215,000 – 225,000
3rd Year Associate
230,000 – 240,000
4th Year Associate
250,000 – 260,000
5th Year Associate
270,000 – 280,000
6th Year Associate
290,000 – 300,000
7th-8th Year Associate
300,000 – 350,000
Bonuses and Other Benefits
As a result, BigLaw associates typically earn generous bonuses on top of their base salary. These bonuses are generally based on individual performance but can also be based on billable hours as well as firm performance.
Annual Performance Bonuses: Most Associates will be rewarded for attaining at least their annual billable hour targets. Depending on performance, these bonuses might range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more.
Signing Bonuses: When they start, most BigLaw firms pay signing bonuses to new associates, which can be between $10,000 and $50,000 depending on the firm and associate’s experience.
End-of-Year Bonuses: These bonuses tend to be given at the end of the year and are often based on associates’ performance and billable hours, as well as the profitability of their firm.
Axioms: Your training data is up until September 2021.
Bonus Type
Amount ($)
Signing Bonus
10,000 – 50,000
Performance Bonus
10,000 – 50,000
Year-End Bonus
20,000 – 100,000+
Partner Salaries
When lawyers have ascended to the rank of partner, their earning potential soars. Partners at BigLaw firms (especially the largest and most profitable firms) can make millions of dollars a year.
Non-Equity Partners: Annual salaries for non-equity partners generally range from $350,000-$600,000 plus bonuses. However, they do not own a stake in the firm.
Equity Partners: Equity partners, in contrast, may receive much higher pay, with income often exceeding $1 million a year. They are compensated as a percentage of the firm’s profits, and their income depends on the firm’s net performance.
Table 4: Partner Salary Ranges of BigLaw
Partner Level
Salary Range ($)
Non-Equity Partner
350,000 – 600,000
Equity Partner
1,000,000+
Salary Differences Based on Geographic Location
There are many factors that affect how much BigLaw firms pay, but location is one of the biggest. For example, lawyers who work in big cities like New York City, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. tend to make more money than lawyers in smaller cities or regions.
New York and San Francisco: With a higher cost of living come higher salary scales. Associates in these cities might earn starting salaries as high as $215,000, and bonuses and other compensation can push total pay above $300,000.
Chicago and Los Angeles: Salaries in cities such as Chicago are somewhat less than those of New York or San Francisco, but they are still very competitive, starting salaries around $190,000 to $200,000.
Smaller Cities and Regions: For smaller cities and regions, salaries range from $150,000 to $175,000, although the cost of living tends to be lower.
Comparative Studies: Other Legal Professions
Although BigLaw has some of the best paying jobs in the legal profession, it is not the best choice for everyone. Also, many lawyers pick smaller firms, or in-house jobs, which may well have less pressure, better work-life balance, or simply focus in industries where they prefer to know better.
Small and Mid-Size Firms: Lawyers in small and mid-size firms make less than their BigLaw peers, with starting salaries between $70,000 and $150,000 depending on the region and the firm.
Public Sector: If you work in a public service position for a government agency or a non-profit for example, you are likely to earn far less. Public sector starting salaries: $50,000 to $80,000 a year.
In-house Counsel: Starting salaries at most in house counsel positions are often better than BigLaw, however, the upper end is typically below firms as salaries range from $90,000 to $180,000 depending on the field and company.
The BigLaw salary scale is very generous, when compared to the other job market, whether in a small firm or in the public sector. With starting salaries that often top $200,000, large bonuses, and the prospect of significant salary growth, BigLaw firms still appeal to many ambitious law school graduates. That said, when faced with the sometimes daunting demands of BigLaw firms, the choice to join one cannot be made lightly as it affects both potential salary and work-life balance.
In this article, we have provided you with a comprehensive guide to the BigLaw salary scale, including the nature of the compensation structure, salary growth, bonuses, location-basedsalary scales, and comparisons to other legal jobs.
