In-house lawyer salaries can be all over the place. It depends on where you work and what kind of area you practice. You might think you’re getting paid well, but how do you really know? If you’re not paying attention to these differences, you could be leaving money on the table.
This is where understanding your worth comes in. Knowing how salaries vary by practice area and region can be the key to earning more.
At SpotDraft, we’ve got the data. Our salary reports and legal industry insights can help you figure out if you're being paid what you deserve.
How much do in-house lawyers make?
In-house lawyer salaries can vary significantly depending on factors like company size, industry, and your specific practice area. A thorough look at the data from SpotDraft’s Compensation Report reveals that these roles come with competitive compensation packages, but there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to pay.
For example, Associate General Counsel roles bring in an average base salary of $225,950, while Chief Legal Officers can command much higher pay, with base salaries averaging $348,976. Total compensation, including bonuses and equity, can push those figures significantly higher.
Salaries across different legal practice areas
Beyond company size and job title, your practice area can also have a big impact on your compensation. High-paying practice areas tend to deal with complex, high-stakes legal work, while lower-paying areas often involve less risk or lower budgets.
High-paying practice areas
Corporate law and compliance roles are among the top earners. Positions like General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer are responsible for managing high-level legal risks, making them indispensable to large organizations. The complexity of mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance in highly regulated industries like finance or technology explains why these roles come with significant compensation.
- Corporate Counsel: $162,514 base salary, $23,088 bonus, $7,494 equity
- Associate General Counsel: $225,950 base salary, $45,918 bonus, $22,084 equity
- Chief Legal Officer: $348,976 base salary, $131,895 bonus, $191,874 equity
In practice areas where demand is high and the legal landscape is complex, salaries naturally rise. This is especially true in areas like corporate law, intellectual property, and securities, where the stakes are often higher, and the work is more demanding.
Lower-paying practice areas
On the other hand, legal roles in areas like contract management or legal operations generally offer lower salaries. These roles are still essential but tend to involve lower budgets or less complex legal issues.
- Contract Manager: $125,053 base salary, $33,250 bonus, $2,870 equity
- Legal Ops Manager: $131,923 base salary, $13,808 bonus, $9,635 equity
These areas are crucial for the day-to-day functioning of a company but often don’t involve the high-level strategic decisions or risks that come with corporate law or compliance. As a result, they tend to have lower compensation compared to other practice areas.
In-house legal salary by region
Geographic location is another key factor that can greatly influence your salary. Cost of living, local demand for legal services, and regional economic conditions all play a role in determining how much you can earn as an in-house lawyer.
Regions with the highest salaries
Major metropolitan areas, particularly on the East and West Coasts of the U.S., tend to offer the highest salaries for in-house legal professionals. Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are known for their high demand for legal services, especially in industries like finance, technology, and entertainment. The higher cost of living in these regions is a key driver behind the higher salaries.
- New York City: Known for high compensation in corporate and compliance roles, reflecting the city's central role in global finance
- San Francisco: Home to many technology companies, offering high salaries for legal professionals specializing in tech-related matters like intellectual property and data privacy
Regions with the lowest salaries
In contrast, regions with lower costs of living and less demand for specialized legal services tend to offer lower salaries. Areas like the Midwest or Southeast often pay less for in-house legal roles, but this can be offset by the lower cost of living.
- Midwest: Salaries in cities like St. Louis or Cleveland tend to be lower due to reduced demand for high-end corporate legal services
- Southeast: Areas such as Atlanta and Nashville generally offer lower salaries, but the lower cost of living makes these locations attractive for many legal professionals
Why certain regions and practice areas pay more
Several factors contribute to the salary differences across regions and practice areas:
- Cost of living: In regions with a high cost of living, companies often offer higher salaries to attract talent. For example, lawyers in San Francisco and New York are compensated well to account for the expensive housing markets and general cost of living
- Local demand: In major economic hubs, like New York for finance and Silicon Valley for tech, the demand for specialized legal skills is higher, which pushes salaries up
- Economic conditions: Regions with a strong economy and thriving industries tend to pay higher salaries. This is often the case in places where industries like tech, finance, and healthcare dominate, as they require more complex legal services
Get the full picture
For a more detailed breakdown of in-house legal salaries based on job title, practice area, and region, check out SpotDraft’s comprehensive salary report. This report provides the most up-to-date and reliable data, helping you make informed decisions whether you're looking for a new role or negotiating your salary.
Check out the complete salary report
How to negotiate your salary as in-house counsel?
You can’t accept the first offer you get. You’ve got to negotiate so you’re paid fairly for the value you bring to the organization. In-house counsel roles, like many other positions, offer a range of compensation based on factors like company size, location, and practice area. Here are some important tips to help you navigate salary negotiations effectively.
Tip #1: Research and leverage industry salary reports
Before entering any salary negotiation, gather data on what similar roles in your industry and region pay. SpotDraft’s salary report is a valuable tool that provides up-to-date information on in-house legal salaries across job titles, regions, and practice areas.
- For example, General Counsels in public companies earn significantly more than their counterparts in smaller firms. Knowing this can give you a solid foundation when negotiating
- Salaries also vary by region—San Francisco and New York lead with the highest compensation for in-house legal roles due to high demand and living costs
Using this data, you can back up your case with concrete numbers, showing the employer that your salary request aligns with industry standards.
Tip #2: Highlight your unique skills and experiences
Your value goes beyond what’s written in the job description. If you bring specialized expertise, advanced certifications, or a proven track record of handling complex legal matters, make sure to emphasize these during negotiations.
"Have a standing document for yourself where you capture one or two highlights every cycle. It’s good to have that to lean upon when you're thinking about applying for a role or you're in the interview stage."
~ Akshay Verma
Chief Operating Officer, SpotDraft
- Have you successfully navigated high-stakes mergers or regulatory challenges? Highlight these achievements
- If your skills are in demand, such as expertise in data privacy or corporate governance, mention how these abilities will benefit the company
Tailoring your approach to the specific needs of the company can make you stand out as an indispensable asset.
Tip #3: Consider non-monetary benefits
Salary is just one part of your compensation package. Non-monetary benefits like flexible working hours, remote work options, or additional vacation time can provide significant value.
- Equity can be especially valuable if you’re joining a startup or high-growth company. For instance, Chief Legal Officers and General Counsels in Series A companies often receive a higher percentage of equity, which could lead to significant financial gains in the long term
- Professional development opportunities, such as coverage for continuing legal education (CLE) or conference attendance, are also worth negotiating
If the employer can’t meet your salary expectations, try negotiating for these additional perks to enhance your overall compensation package.
Tip #4: Be aware of salary ranges for your region and practice area
Geographic location plays a big role in determining salary. For example, in-house counsel in New York City or San Francisco can earn significantly more than those in smaller cities, often due to higher demand for legal services and the cost of living in these regions.
- According to SpotDraft’s report, legal professionals in New York and San Francisco can earn up to 23% more than those in cities like Salt Lake City or Denver
- Practice area also affects salary—corporate law and compliance tend to offer higher pay than contract management or legal operations
Understanding these regional and practice area-specific factors will give you a clearer picture of what to expect during negotiations.
Tip #5: Prepare for equity vs. cash compensation trade-offs
Especially in startups or early-stage companies, you may have the opportunity to negotiate a higher percentage of equity in exchange for a lower cash salary. This can be a smart move if the company is poised for growth, but it's also a risk.
“When I decided to take the job at Segment, I asked the CEO if he would be open to me taking lower cash comp and more equity. And he agreed. As a result I ended up getting a fairly significant increase in the amount of stock that I had, or was going to get, for a modest reduction in salary. And I think it paid off in the end; it was a risk, but it paid off like literally a 100x.”
~ Mark Kahn
General Counsel, Oakland Ballers
If you’re considering this, make sure to understand the equity terms and the potential risks involved.
Master your negotiations with SpotDraft’s Salary Negotiation Guide
Negotiating your salary is one of the most important conversations you’ll have in your career, and being well-prepared is key. SpotDraft’s Salary Negotiation Guide is designed to help in-house legal professionals navigate these discussions confidently and effectively. It offers practical tips from in-house legal experts who’ve climbed the ladder and real-world examples to ensure you’re negotiating for the compensation package you deserve.
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