Lawyers

SOC code 23-1011 · O*NET-SOC 23-1011.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Legal and protective services

Lawyers advise and represent clients on rights, disputes and transactions. The route is fixed and long — a bachelor's degree, law school and the bar exam — and the pay spread is one of the widest of any profession, running from public-interest work to top-of-market firm salaries.

Lawyers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$159,670

a year

Hourly

$76.76

per hour

10th$78,360Median$159,67090th$351,600

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$185,840

$89.35 per hour

Middle 50%

$102,990 – $221,370

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$78,360 – $351,600

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

754,500

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $78,360; $37.67/hr
25th percentile: $102,990; $49.51/hr
Median percentile: $159,670; $76.76/hr
75th percentile: $221,370; $106.43/hr
90th percentile: $351,600; $169.04/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

+4%

Growing faster than average

864,800

jobs in 2024

900,700

projected for 2034

About 35,900 more jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What does a lawyer do?

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.

How to become a lawyer

Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 77% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Doctoral Degree77%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.23%

Common questions

How much does a lawyer earn?

The national median is $159,670 a year. The full range runs from $78,360 at the 10th percentile to $351,600 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a lawyer without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Is lawyer in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Speaking4.6/5
Reading Comprehension4.5/5
Active Listening4.5/5
Critical Thinking4.5/5
Writing4.3/5
Active Learning3.8/5

Knowledge areas

Law and Government5.0/5
English Language4.7/5
Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
Administrative3.2/5
Computers and Electronics3.1/5
Communications and Media3.0/5
Administration and Management2.8/5
Education and Training2.6/5

Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Persuasion, Negotiation.