The Most Lucrative Careers in Law

Top-Paying Legal Occupations

If you're a law student curious about which legal professions bring in the most money, you're in the right place. While salary shouldn't be the only factor when choosing a legal career path, it's a significant consideration for many students. The field of law offers a wide range of career options beyond just practicing law. You could pursue roles in teaching, firm management, or even politics. While practicing law tends to be one of the most financially rewarding paths, there are various legal specialties to explore within this field.

Salaries in the legal industry can vary greatly, ranging from minimum wage to million-dollar incomes, depending on factors like location, demand, experience, work environment, and employer size.

Trial Lawyers

Known for handling high-stakes cases, trial lawyers are among the highest-paid legal professionals globally. While some public interest lawyers and solo practitioners have more modest incomes, civil litigators dealing with big-money and high-profile cases typically command hefty salaries. As of mid-2024, the average salary for trial lawyers sits at $120,815, according to ZipRecruiter.

Intellectual Property Lawyers

In a rapidly growing field, intellectual property attorneys specialize in protecting valuable ideas like patents, copyrights, and trademarks. With technological advancements driving demand, intellectual property law is statistically one of the most lucrative legal areas. The average pay for these lawyers was nearly $195,000 in June 2024, with high-end earners possibly surpassing $212,000 annually.

Tax Attorneys

Working with individuals and businesses on tax matters, tax attorneys assist with estate planning and IRS disputes. While compensation can vary by location, tax lawyers typically earn respectable salaries. The median pay for tax attorneys in 2024 was around $113,000, with some earning up to $200,000.

Real Estate Attorneys

Reviewing real estate offers and contracts to ensure fair deals for all parties, real estate lawyers handle legal aspects of property transactions. While their median pay hovered around $98,000 in 2024, real estate attorneys could make up to roughly $149,000 per year.

For all legal professions, including those not listed here, the median annual wage for lawyers was $145,760 in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.