• 52% of lawyers are satisfied with their total compensation, with higher satisfaction among those with pay transparency.

• Median pay for equity partners ranges between $250,000 and $800,000 depending on firm size, while associates earn a median of $120,000 to $230,000.

• Billing rates vary widely: a median of $550 per hour for equity partners, $563 for nonequity partners, and $375 for associates.

A recent survey by Law360 Pulse, Compensation Report: Law Firms, sheds light on compensation satisfaction among lawyers at major law firms, revealing that just over half (52%) of respondents are satisfied with their total pay package. 

The survey was conducted from April 18 to June 10 and received 1,157 qualified responses about the 2023 compensation. The sample comprises 470 associates for 41% of the total, 188 nonequity partners for 16% of the total, 308 equity partners for 27% of the total, and 16% either of counsel, solo practitioners, or other attorneys working at private firms.

Transparency Is Key

Interestingly, compensation satisfaction levels rise significantly, to 74%, in firms where pay transparency is practiced, highlighting the importance of clarity in compensation structures, ABA Journal reported.

• 30% percent of surveyed lawyers said lawyer salaries were transparent.

• 17% of surveyed lawyers said salaries at their firms were partially transparent.

• In this group, 54% were satisfied with total compensation.

The Pay Breakdown

Associates – median base pay

• $120,000 at firms with 100 or fewer lawyers

• $179,000 at firms with 101 to 600 lawyers

• $230,000 at firms with more than 600 lawyers

Associates typically reported salaries near $150,000 and bonuses of roughly $15,000.

Nonequity partners – median base pay

• $205,000 at firms with 100 or fewer lawyers

• $275,000 at firms with 101 to 600 attorneys

• $400,000 at firms with more than 600 lawyers

Nonequity partners typically reported salaries near $250,000 and median bonuses of $50,000.

Equity partners – median base pay

• $250,000 at firms with 100 or fewer lawyers

• $400,000 at firms with 101 to 600 attorneys

• $800,000 at firms with more than 600 lawyers

Equity partners reported pay of over $300,000 across all firm sizes, with many equity partners reporting well over $1 million, and median bonuses of $170,000.

Billing Rates and Practices

The survey also explored billing rates, revealing notable differences between associates and partners and between firms of different sizes.

• Associates: median of $375 per hour

• Nonequity partners: median of $563 per hour

• Equity partners: median of $550 per hour

Across all roles, attorneys at larger firms were able to charge higher hourly billing rates, with averages ranging from just over $350 per hour for associates at small firms to more than $1,000 per hour for equity partners at the largest firms.