Lawyers
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.
Also called: Attorney · Attorney at Law · Attorney General · Counsel · County Attorney · District Attorney
Median pay (national)
$151,160
$72,780–$239,200+ (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
747,750
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.1%
~31,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for lawyers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $239,200+ versus $72,780 at the bottom 10% — 3.3x. The median of $151,160 leaves roughly 58% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.1% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 31,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $197,790, +31% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $86,970 — a 127% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
- Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
- Negotiate contractual agreements.
- Confer with colleagues with specialties in appropriate areas of legal issue to establish and verify bases for legal proceedings.
- Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Google Analytics
- SAP software
- Abacus Data Systems AbacusLaw
- AbacusNext HotDocs
- ADC Legal Systems Perfect Practice
- ADERANT Expert Matter Center
- Advanced Technologies Class Act
- AdvantageLaw WinVantage
- Anacomp CaseLogistix
- Argosy Legal Systems Power Closer
- Best Case Solutions Best Case Bankruptcy
- BQE Software BillQuick
- Bridgeway eCounsel
- Canyon Solutions Jcats
- Captaris Alchemy
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Communications and Media
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training