We used the latest data and insights to identify the highest paying legal jobs so that you can learn and earn more.
If you’re looking to get a legal job but don’t know where to start, this article is for you. We’ll be talking about the highest-paying legal jobs and where they can be found.
We reviewed an array of resources, including government data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale, a salary comparison website. Our team also looked at Glassdoor’s database of user-submitted salaries to round out our research on the high paying legal jobs.
Let’s start by taking a look at the most lucrative jobs in the legal field.
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Table of Contents
#10. Intellectual Property Paralegal
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $49,000 per year
- High Range: $96,000 per year
- Median Pay: $69,452 per year
What do they do?
An intellectual property paralegal is a legal assistant who specializes in intellectual property law. They help attorneys research, draft, and file patents, trademarks, and copyrights on behalf of their clients.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Intellectual property paralegals typically need an associate’s degree and several years of experience in the field. Many employers also require a paralegal certificate or certification for this position.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Intellectual property paralegals are employed in law firms, corporations, and government agencies. They may work as part of a legal team or independently on cases.
What is the best way to get this job?
Many employers require that applicants have an associate’s degree, so you may need to pursue a paralegal certificate or certification.Â
You can apply for an internship if you have a certificate or degree. This will give you the opportunity to prove your skills and gain experience in the field.
What’s it like to be an intellectual property paralegal?
#9. Immigration Lawyer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $50,000 per year
- High Range: $112,000 per year
- Median Pay: $70,578 per year
What do they do?
Immigration lawyers help people who are seeking to become legal residents or citizens of a country. They also advise employers on how to comply with immigration laws. These lawyers may also represent immigrants who federal authorities have detained.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
To become an immigration lawyer, you must complete a law degree and pass a state bar exam. In addition to these skills, it’s also important to have strong communication and research skills.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Government agencies, law firms, and non-profits are all good places to look for immigration lawyers. You can also find work in the private sector, working as an independent contractor or consultant.
What is the best way to get this job?
You need a bachelor’s degree in political science or related fields. Then complete a formal legal education program, which takes three years to complete.Â
After graduation, you’ll take the bar exam and earn your license. Once you’ve done that, you can start looking for work.
What’s it like to be an immigration lawyer?
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#8. Family Lawyer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $51,000 per year
- High Range: $115,000 per year
- Median Pay: $74,143 per year
What do they do?
Family lawyers represent clients in divorce, child custody, and other family law cases. They may also help with adoptions, name changes, estates, and wills.Â
A family lawyer generally assists with legal issues involving children or other dependents, such as guardianship or conservatorship.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most family lawyers have a law degree and are licensed to practice law. They must also be able to think critically, analyze information, and solve problems.
Who’s hiring for this job?
There are a number of employers who hire family lawyers, including law firms and government agencies. Examples of companies that may hire family lawyers:
- Government agencies
- Public defender’s office
- Attorney general’s office
What is the best way to get this job?
The most direct way to become a family lawyer is to get a law degree. Once you have a law degree, you can practice law and become a family lawyer. You may also be able to work as an intern in a law firm or government agency to gain experience before applying for a job.
What’s it like to be a family lawyer?
#7. Employment Lawyer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $64,000 per year
- High Range: $142,000 per year
- Median Pay: $94,678 per year
What do they do?
Employment lawyers work for companies that are facing legal issues. They may help employers with investigations, lawsuits, or employment disputes.Â
Some employment lawyers represent unions, workers who have filed grievances against their employers and seek compensation from them.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Employment lawyers need to have a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. They must also pass the bar exam in their state.Â
These lawyers should be able to read, write and speak English fluently. They should also have strong research skills and knowledge of human resources laws.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Employment lawyers work in law firms, government agencies, and private corporations.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can get a job as an employment lawyer by getting a law degree from a good university and passing the bar exam.Â
Once you have this, you can contact local law firms or government agencies to find out if they’re hiring. You can also pursue internships while in school to gain experience and connect with field professionals.
What’s it like to be an employment lawyer?
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#6. Mediator
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $29,500 per year
- High Range: $249,500 per year
- Median Pay: $96,369 per year
What do they do?
Mediators are trained to help the two parties involved in a dispute come to an agreement. These unbiased third parties work with both parties to find common ground and resolve their issues.Â
They use a variety of techniques, such as brainstorming, negotiation, and fact-finding, to help the parties reach a resolution.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most states require mediators to have at least a master’s degree in conflict resolution, law, or social work. Some also require mediation training courses and certification.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Mediators work in different settings, from government agencies to law firms. They are often hired by individuals who have disputes with their insurance companies or landlords and need help resolving them.Â
Some states have a public mediation service that provides mediation services for free to people with low incomes who cannot afford legal fees.
What is the best way to get this job?
To become a mediator, you need either a master’s degree or a law degree. Some states require you to have additional training and certification before they will certify you as a mediator.Â
Once you are certified, you can apply for jobs through job boards or by contacting law firms and other employers directly.
Should you become a mediator?
#5. Contract Lawyer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Zippia
- Low Range: $60,000 per year
- High Range: $158,000 per year
- Median Pay: $97,474 per year
What do they do?
Contract lawyers specialize in writing and reviewing contracts. They work with clients to ensure that the contract meets their needs, as well as all legal requirements. These legal professionals also enforce contracts when people don’t live up to their obligations.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
The most common contract lawyer degree is a Juris Doctor (J.D.). This takes three years to complete after undergraduate studies. The J.D. gives you the skills needed to pass the bar exam, which is a requirement to practice law in most states.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Contract lawyers work in a variety of settings. Law firms, corporations, or government agencies may employ them. Contract lawyers may also freelance to provide their services on an as-needed basis.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to get a contract lawyer job is to go through law school. This will prepare you with the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in this field. Then you can work as a paralegal or legal secretary, providing you with valuable experience that can lead to contract lawyer jobs later on down the road.
What’s it like to be a contract lawyer?
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#4. Corporate Lawyer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $70,000 per year
- High Range: $206,000 per year
- Median Salary: $117,520 per year
What do they do?
Corporate lawyers advise companies on business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. They also represent clients in legal disputes. These legal professionals may work in-house or at a law firm.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Many corporate lawyers have undergraduate degrees in business or accounting and law degrees. Employers also look for lawyers with leadership skills and experience in the business.
Because of the complex nature of their work, corporate lawyers may also need to be proficient in specialized software and technology.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Corporate lawyers work in a variety of industries, including finance, insurance, and real estate. They may also provide legal services to nonprofits and government agencies. In some cases, corporations hire outside law firms to handle their legal needs.
What is the best way to get this job?
Most entry-level corporate lawyers are hired from law schools, but some have experience in other fields.Â
To become a corporate lawyer, you should be able to demonstrate strong academic achievement in law school and good analytical skills. You should also have experience working with clients or managing teams of workers.
What’s it like to be a corporate lawyer?
#3. Judge
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Zippia
- Low Range: $68,000 per year
- High Range: $222,000 per year
- Median Pay: $123,457 per year
What do they do?
A judge is a government official who presides over legal cases. They are usually appointed by the governor or other elected officials and serve until they step down, retire, or die. These legal professionals have the final say on how cases are decided.
The exact duties of judges vary depending on what state they are in but generally include:
- Presiding over trials,
- Issuing arrest warrants and search warrants,
- Setting bail amounts for defendants charged with crimes.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most judges have a law degree. They may also have experience as lawyers or other legal professionals before being appointed to the bench.Â
Judges need to be able to make complex decisions quickly and accurately, so they must give careful consideration to all evidence presented in court cases.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Judges are appointed to the bench by governors and state legislatures. Some states have judicial elections in which voters decide whether to retain sitting judges.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you want to be a judge, it’s best to start by getting a law degree. You can then apply for an internship with a judge or work as an attorney before applying for a judicial position.
What’s it like to be a judge?
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#2. Patent Lawyer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $97,000 per year
- High Range: $300,000 per year
- Median Pay: $167,730 per year
What do they do?
A patent lawyer is an attorney who specializes in patents and intellectual property law. Their job is to help clients create, protect, and enforce their rights to inventions.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
The most common degree is a bachelor’s degree in engineering or science. You can then earn a law degree and complete a patent law program. This will give you a basic understanding of patents and intellectual property law and allow you to practice as a patent attorney.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Patent attorneys are sought after by businesses and inventors alike. They can work for law firms, patent agencies, universities, or corporations.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to get a job as a patent attorney is to earn a law degree, complete an accredited patent law program and pass the bar exam. You can also work in an engineering or scientific field before becoming a patent attorney.
What’s it like to be a patent lawyer?
#1. Litigation Lawyer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $124,000 per year
- High Range: $329,000 per year
- Median Pay: $199,429 per year
What do they do?
The job of a litigation lawyer is to represent clients in court. They are responsible for preparing cases, interviewing witnesses and experts, and presenting evidence to support their client’s case.Â
These trial lawyers must also investigate the background of opposing counsel, as well as the facts of the case itself.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
This top legal career requires a Juris Doctorate degree or JD. This can take three years to complete. You will also need to pass the bar exam to practice law in your state.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Law firms are the most common employer of litigation lawyers. They often work on behalf of clients in civil cases, such as divorce and paternity cases. Government agencies and corporations also hire litigation lawyers.Â
While the average starting lawyer salary is not enough to write home about, experienced attorneys pocket large sums of money per month.Â
What is the best way to get this job?
To become a litigation lawyer, you must earn a law degree. After graduating, you can work as an associate at a law firm or legal department. You may also be able to find positions in government agencies and corporations.
Should you become a litigation lawyer?
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Conclusion
The highest paid lawyers are those with a lot of responsibilities. They also require a lot of specialized knowledge. Lawyers in these positions usually have to stay up-to-date on trends in the legal industry.
A lawyer who is well-versed in the law and has a deep understanding of how it applies to different situations will be able to offer clients the best possible counsel. This can help them win cases or prevent them from being sued.
If you want to get into the legal profession, you should prepare for the challenges of law school. Then go out into the world and practice your craft until you find your niche.
