Year Salary At Big Law: How Much?
BigLaw, sometimes styled as Big Law or biglaw, refers to the biggest and most prestigious law firms in the United States. These firms, which tend to be located in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, offer some of the highest salaries in the legal profession. As of 2025, the standard first-year associate salary at many of the largest firms in the U.S. is $215,000, with some firms offering up to $225,000. This figure is determined by the Cravath scale, which is a system of lockstep associate compensation based on the number of years out of law school.
Characteristics ValuesSalary Scale Cravath Scale
Salary in 2023 $200,000
Salary in 2025 $215,000 to $230,000
Highest-paying firm in 2023 Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Highest-paying firm in 2023 salary $220,000
Median first-year salary by city in 2023 $145,000 to $215,000
Median first-year salary in 11 cities in 2023 $215,000
Median first-year salary in the Northeast in 2023 $170,000
Median first-year salary in the Midwest and West in 2023 $165,000
Median first-year salary in the South in 2023 $135,000
Median first-year salary in 6 cities in 2025 $225,000
Number of hours worked per week 60 to 80
Number of billable hours per year 2,000
Bonus in 2024 $20,000
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What You'll Learn
BigLaw, sometimes styled as Big Law or biglaw, refers to the work done by the biggest and most prestigious law firms in the United States. These firms tend to be clustered in major cities like New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago, but it is not uncommon for Big Law offices to have a presence overseas. Big Law firms tend to charge high fees and handle high-value, complex cases for prominent clients, and their lawyers are able to earn higher salaries as a result.
Lawyers working in Big Law are generally paid on the Cravath scale, a system of lockstep associate compensation based on the number of years out of law school. This system ensures that all lawyers on the pay scale are paid the same and receive the same market bonus each year. While most firms follow the Cravath scale, it is not mandatory, and so Big Law salaries can vary slightly. For example, in 2023, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer chose not to use the scale, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz offered a first-year base pay of $220,000, $5,000 more than the Cravath scale's base pay of $215,000.
As of 2025, the standard first-year associate salary at many of the largest firms in the U.S. is $215,000, with base salaries ranging from $215,000 to $230,000. This figure is up from the median base salary of $200,000 for first-year associates in 2023. In addition to this base salary, many top-paying firms also offer year-end bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the firm's profitability and individual performance. These bonuses can be a significant part of the Big Law compensation package, with annual bonuses ranging from $15,000 to over $100,000.
Salaries increase steadily with seniority, with mid-level associates (fourth to sixth year) earning between $295,000 and $400,000, and eighth-year associates receiving up to $450,000. However, these generous compensation packages come with high expectations, including demanding workloads and annual billable hour requirements often exceeding 2,000 hours. Big Law associates often work long hours, typically 60 to 80 hours per week, and face intense demands from clients and supervisors, which can lead to stress and burnout.
Despite the challenges, a job in Big Law is attractive to many young lawyers due to the potential for significant financial rewards, prestige, and training opportunities. Competition is steep, and those who are invited to interview will typically have impressive backgrounds, with stellar academic records, clerkships, or prior relevant experience.
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In addition to their salaries, those working in Biglaw also receive thousands of dollars in bonuses at the end of each year. Unlike salaries, bonuses on the Cravath Scale don't change every year. For example, in 2024, first-year lawyers whose firms follow the Cravath Scale received a bonus of $20,000. Their fourth-year counterparts earned a $75,000 bonus, while seventh- and eighth-year lawyers saw a $115,000 bonus.
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Big Law, sometimes styled as BigLaw or biglaw, refers to major law firms in large cities. These firms have a reputation for high pay, and they charge clients incredibly high fees. Lawyers who work with these firms are able to earn higher salaries as a result. Lawyer salaries can vary widely depending on where you decide to practice and what field of law you choose to pursue. Lawyers tend to earn more as they progress in their careers, especially once they have five or more years of experience.
According to a report by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), the median base salary for first-year associates was $200,000 as of January 1, 2023. This figure represents an $35,000 increase from 2021. It's worth noting that this median includes responses from a variety of law firm sizes, with 81% of responses coming from firms with more than 250 lawyers. The competition for talent, or the so-called "talent wars," has contributed to accelerated pay increases across the industry.
The starting salary for first-year associates can vary depending on the city and region. In 2023, eleven cities had a median starting salary of $215,000: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles/Orange County, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Washington, DC. Outside of these major cities, the highest median first-year associate salary was found in the Northeast at $170,000, followed by the Midwest and West at $165,000, and the South at $135,000.
While most BigLaw firms follow the Cravath Scale, which standardizes salaries and bonuses across associate levels, it is not mandatory. For example, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer chose not to use the Cravath Scale in 2023. In 2023, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz offered a first-year base pay of $220,000, which was $5,000 more than the Cravath Scale's base pay of $215,000.
In addition to their salaries, those working in BigLaw can expect to receive thousands of dollars in bonuses at the end of each year. These bonuses can range from $10,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the firm's profitability and individual performance. Bonuses are typically standardized within a firm, so all first-year associates will receive the same bonus amount.
Overall, while there may be variations due to firm size, location, and market competition, the salary expectations for first-year associates in Big Law in 2023 ranged from $135,000 to $220,000, with a median of $200,000 according to NALP's report.
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BigLaw, sometimes styled as Big Law or biglaw, refers to the biggest and most prestigious law firms in the United States. These firms are typically located in major cities like New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago, and they offer some of the highest salaries in the legal profession.
In 2024, the expected salary for first-year associates in BigLaw will likely continue to increase, building on the trend of rising salaries in previous years. The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) reported that as of January 1, 2023, the median base salary for first-year associates was $200,000, a significant increase of $35,000 from 2021. The competition for talent among law firms, often referred to as the "BigLaw salary wars", has resulted in accelerated pay increases across the industry.
While specific salary figures for 2024 may vary, it is reasonable to expect a starting salary for first-year associates in BigLaw to range from $215,000 to $230,000. This range is based on the industry-standard Cravath Scale, which many BigLaw firms follow, and the reported salaries of prominent firms in recent years. For example, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz offered a first-year base pay of $220,000 in 2023, while Clifford Chance US LLP and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP offered $215,000.
It is important to note that BigLaw salaries can vary depending on the firm's location and size. While major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles tend to offer higher starting salaries, smaller markets or secondary cities may have slightly lower salaries. Additionally, larger firms with more than 700 lawyers are more likely to offer higher salaries, with NALP reporting that 45% of these firms provided a first-year salary of $225,000.
In addition to their base salaries, first-year associates in BigLaw can expect to receive substantial bonuses. While bonus amounts may differ from firm to firm, they typically range from $10,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the firm's profitability and individual performance. These bonuses are a significant part of the overall compensation package in BigLaw and can substantially increase total earnings.
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The salaries of first-year associates at Biglaw firms vary depending on location, with firms in major cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago offering higher salaries than those in smaller markets or secondary cities.
New York City
New York City is a major hub for Biglaw firms, and lawyers working in this city can expect to be paid at the Cravath scale, which is considered the industry standard. The Cravath scale takes into account the number of years a lawyer has been out of law school and the salary paid to those at the same level working for Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. In 2023, the Cravath scale's base pay for first-year associates was $215,000. However, some Biglaw firms in New York may offer higher salaries to attract the best talent.
San Francisco
San Francisco is another city where Biglaw firms offer competitive salaries. Similar to New York, San Francisco-based firms usually offer full Cravath scale salaries to their associates. In addition, due to the high cost of living in the city, associates may also receive attractive benefits and bonuses to offset the high expenses.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is also a major market for Biglaw firms, and lawyers working in this city can expect salaries that are comparable to those in New York and San Francisco. However, there may be slight variations in the salaries offered by different firms, with some firms offering slightly lower salaries than the Cravath scale.
Chicago
Chicago is another large city with a significant presence of Biglaw firms. While the salaries in Chicago may not be as high as in New York or San Francisco, they are still competitive and can vary depending on the firm and the lawyer's experience.
Other Locations
Outside of the major cities, Biglaw firms in smaller markets or secondary cities may offer slightly lower starting salaries. However, it is important to consider the lower cost of living in these areas, which can result in a higher relative quality of life. For example, in 2023, the highest median first-year base salary outside of the 26 major cities included in a report was in the Northeast, with a salary of $170,000.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the first-year salary for Big Law?
The first-year base salary for Big Law firms in 2025 is $215,000 to $230,000, with some firms offering $225,000. This is known as the Cravath scale, which is followed by many top law firms and is adjusted periodically to remain competitive.
How much can I expect to earn in bonuses during my first year?
Bonuses are a significant part of the Big Law compensation package. First-year lawyers can expect to earn between $10,000 and $20,000 in year-end bonuses, depending on the firm's profitability and their individual performance.
How has the first-year salary changed over the years?
The median base salary for first-year associates in Big Law firms was $200,000 as of January 1, 2023, up from $165,000 in 2021. The salary has been driven up by market competition, associate attrition, and client demand.