| Management of companies and enterprises | $126,250 |
| Federal Government | 108,090 |
| Legal services | 99,580 |
| Local government | 73,410 |
| State government | 70,280 |
Median salaries of lawyers 9 months after graduation from law school in 2004 varied by type of work, as indicated in table 1.
| Type of work | Salary |
|---|---|
|
All graduates |
55,000 |
|
|
|
|
Type of work |
|
|
Private practice |
80,000 |
|
Business/industry |
60,000 |
|
Judicial clerkship and government |
44,700 |
|
Academe |
40,000 |
|
|
|
| Source: National Association of Law Placement |
Salaries of experienced attorneys vary widely according to the type, size, and location of their employer. Lawyers who own their own practices usually earn less than those who are partners in law firms. Lawyers starting their own practice may need to work part time in other occupations to supplement their income until their practice is well established.
Most salaried lawyers are provided health and life insurance, and contributions are made to retirement plans on their behalf. Lawyers who practice independently are covered only if they arrange and pay for such benefits themselves..
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition
