Lawyer: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Lawyers earn a national median of $151,160/yr with 4.1% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Law and Government, English Language, Customer and Personal Service.
Median Salary
$151,160
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
4.1%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
747,750
2024 data
Typical Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Lawyer
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Lawyer candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Lawyer performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Lawyer roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 4.1% for Lawyer roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 747,750
- Projected Growth
- 4.1%
- Typical Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Lawyer do?
- Lawyers apply expertise in Law and Government, English Language, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking.
- How much does a Lawyer make?
- The national median salary for a Lawyer is $151,160 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Lawyer a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Lawyer roles is projected to grow 4.1% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 747,750 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Lawyer?
- The typical entry-level education for a Lawyer is Doctoral or professional degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Lawyers need?
- The most important skills for Lawyer roles based on verified occupational data: Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Persuasion, Negotiation, Active Learning. Key tools and technologies include: Google Analytics, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Project.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.