High-Earning Careers in Law You Should Know About

From corporate law to federal judgeships, here are the legal careers that combine prestige, impact, and top salaries.

8/4/20252 min read

🔍 About This Blog

This post is part of Eddo’s Career Spotlight Series, built from verified data from BLS, Glassdoor, and Vault Law. Our mission is to help students explore high-value law careers early, understand educational pathways, and connect ambition with informed planning.

Introduction

Law is one of the most respected—and lucrative—fields, offering career paths that range from high-stakes litigation to shaping policy at the national level. While becoming a lawyer requires years of education, the payoff can be substantial for those who commit to the journey.

Job #1: Corporate Lawyer (Business Law)

Average Salary: $140,000–$250,000+ (top firms: $300,000+ with bonuses)
What They Do: Handle contracts, mergers, intellectual property, compliance, and corporate disputes.
Pathway: Pre-law or business major, JD (law school), pass the bar, and often join a top law firm.
Why It Pays Well: Complex transactions and high-value corporate clients bring premium billing rates.

Job #2: Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer

Average Salary: $150,000–$275,000+
What They Do: Protect patents, trademarks, copyrights, and technology innovations.
Pathway: Law degree (JD) plus STEM or technical background is highly valued.
High Demand: Rising in tech-heavy industries where patents and digital assets dominate.

Job #3: Trial Lawyer (Litigator)

Average Salary: $120,000–$250,000+ (top trial attorneys can earn millions in contingency fees)
What They Do: Represent clients in civil or criminal court, prepare cases, and argue before judges/juries.
Pathway: JD, bar passage, courtroom experience (often through clerkships or public defense).
Why It Pays Well: Skilled litigators are in high demand for high-profile civil suits or defense cases.

Job #4: Medical Malpractice & Personal Injury Attorney

Average Salary: $130,000–$250,000+ (top earners significantly more via settlements)
What They Do: Represent clients in injury, malpractice, or liability lawsuits.
Pathway: JD plus trial experience; many build cases on contingency fee models.
Why It’s Lucrative: High-value settlements and insurance payouts drive top salaries.

Job #5: Judge (Federal or State)

Average Salary: $135,000–$210,000+ (federal judges typically earn more)
What They Do: Preside over cases, interpret law, and render legal judgments.
Pathway: Extensive legal experience (often 10–15+ years), prior practice as an attorney, and judicial appointment or election.
Prestige & Pay: Judges combine influence with strong compensation and benefits.

Job #6: Law Firm Partner (Equity Partner)

Average Salary: $300,000–$500,000+ (at elite firms, equity partners often exceed $1M annually)
What They Do: Lead major cases, bring in clients, and share in firm profits.
Pathway: Years of top-tier legal work, strong client base, and exceptional results.
Top Tier: This is the pinnacle for private practice attorneys aiming for big-league earnings.

Why These Careers Matter

Prestige + Pay: Legal careers are synonymous with influence and financial stability.
Specialization is Key: Fields like corporate law and IP law offer higher earning potential than general practice.
Strong ROI: Despite long schooling, many legal roles offer six-figure salaries within a few years of practice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2024), the median pay for lawyers is $135,740 annually, with top 10% earners making $208,000+.

Wrapping Up

At Eddo, we’re committed to helping students like you stay organized, discover new opportunities, and plan for the future with confidence.

If you found this blog helpful, don’t miss out on our biweekly newsletter, where we share curated scholarships, internships, and student resources straight to your inbox.

Have questions or want us to cover a specific topic next? Send us an email [nctutoringinfo@gmail.com]—we’d love to hear from you!

a wooden judge's hammer sitting on top of a table