Labor Attorney Salary: What to Expect in the US

Did you know that starting salaries for labor attorneys in the US can range from $132,000 to $245,000? The median is $201,000¹. As the legal world changes, knowing what labor attorneys get paid is key. This guide will look at what affects their salaries, the different pay ranges, and the benefits they get.

Key Takeaways

• Labor attorneys with 10+ years of experience can earn between $132,000 and $185,000. The median is $160,250¹.
• In-house counsel with over 10 years of experience can make between $145,750 and $200,000. The median is $167,500¹.
• General Counsel and Chief Corporate Counsel can earn between $168,750 and $245,000. The median is $201,000¹.
• Legal Administrator/Executive Director positions in law firms can pay between $87,250 and $118,500. The median is $94,000¹.
• Compliance Director roles with over 10 years of experience can earn between $98,750 and $159,750. The median is $136,000¹.

Introduction to Labor Attorney Salaries

Labor attorneys are key in the legal world. They help both employers and employees with many issues. This includes collective bargaining, workplace discrimination, and following labor laws².

Overview of Labor Law and the Role of Labor Attorneys

Labor attorneys work in many places like law firms, government, and unions. Their pay changes based on experience, specialty, and where they work².

Factors Influencing Labor Attorney Compensation

Many things affect how much labor attorneys get paid. These include education, experience, specialty, and where they work². Those who focus on specific areas like labor relations or union work often earn more².

Attorneys in big cities or at top law firms make more than those in smaller places². The legal world keeps changing with new laws. Labor attorneys need to keep up to help their clients and follow the rules³.

“Labor attorneys play a critical role in protecting the rights of employers and employees. They ensure labor laws are followed and fair practices are maintained.”

Salary Ranges for Labor Attorneys

Salary.com reports that labor attorneys in the U.S. make between $80,823 and $107,821 on average. This average is $97,850⁴. Including bonuses, their total compensation can range from $82,767 to $120,765, averaging $101,847⁴.

Several things can affect a labor attorney’s salary. Experience, skills, and where they work are key. For example, those in San Francisco, CA might earn 25% more than the national average. In Miami, FL, salaries can be 3.5% less⁴.

Labor attorneys also get bonuses, retirement plans, and health insurance⁵. Their experience, skills, and the law firm’s size can also change their pay⁵.

The salary range for labor attorneys in the U.S. varies a lot. Knowing what affects their pay helps them plan their career and salary goals⁴⁵⁶.

labor attorney salary

The salary for labor attorneys varies based on experience, specialization, and location. Employment law attorney pay and labor lawyer income change a lot because of these factors.

At the start, labor attorneys make between $80,823 and $107,821, averaging $97,850⁴. With more experience, their pay can go from $82,767 to $120,765, averaging $101,847⁴. Those with over 8 years of experience can make about $170,447 on average⁵.

The place where a labor attorney works also affects their legal fees for labor representation. For example, in San Francisco, CA, the salary is 25.0% higher than the national average. In Miami, FL, it’s 3.5% lower⁴. New York, NY, has the highest salaries, 16.8% above the national average⁴.

Skills also play a big role in a labor attorney’s pay. Skills like Teamwork and Collaboration can increase salary by 38%⁴. But, skills like Negotiating and Health Care are less important for Employment Law Attorneys⁴.

As labor attorneys grow in their careers, they move from Employment Law Attorney I to II and IV. They might also become Intellectual Property Attorneys⁴.

Compensation and Benefits for Labor Attorneys

Labor attorneys in the federal government, like those in the Department of Justice (DOJ), get more than just a salary. They enjoy a range of benefits that boost their overall compensation. This makes a career in labor law very appealing⁷.

Federal Benefits for Labor Attorneys

The federal government offers many benefits to labor attorneys. These include:

• Annual leave: 13-26 days per year, depending on service length⁷
• Sick leave: 13 days per year, with no limit on carryover⁷
• Paid holidays: 10 holidays each year
• Health insurance: Coverage for the attorney and their family, with government help
• Retirement benefits: FERS offers social security, a basic annuity, and TSP
• Life insurance: Coverage through the FEGLI Program

Department of Justice Benefits for Labor Attorneys

DOJ labor attorneys get extra perks beyond federal benefits. These include:

1. Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program: Helps with loan repayment
2. Worklife programs: Offers flexible work, dependent care, and an employee assistance program
3. On-site health units and fitness centers
4. Pro bono and community involvement opportunities
5. Transit subsidy for public transportation
6. Incentive awards for outstanding performance

These benefits make a career in labor law at the DOJ very appealing. It offers a rewarding and well-compensated legal practice⁷.

Career Advancement and Salary Growth

Labor attorneys under the General Schedule (GS) pay scale have a clear path for career growth. They can move from GS-11 to GS-15 in 3.5 years, if they meet certain requirements⁸. For instance, to go from GS-11 to GS-12, they need 6 months. Moving from GS-12 to GS-13 requires 6 months to 1 year, based on their starting level⁸.

Promotions to higher GS levels depend on performance, the organization’s policy, and available positions⁸. Those on the Department of Justice’s Administratively Determined (AD) pay scale might have different rules for moving up.

The legal field offers many chances for labor attorneys to grow in their careers⁹. Legal recruiters have helped legal pros, including labor attorneys, for nearly 50 years⁹. In 2019, attorneys aiming for partnership in top law firms made an average of $1.054 million⁹. Equity partners at elite firms can earn over $3 million a year, more than triple what they made two decades ago⁹.

Labor attorneys can also look into in-house roles or specialized positions. This opens up more career paths and raises their earning possibilities⁹.

The path to career advancement and salary growth for labor attorneys varies. It depends on their performance, their organization’s policies, and the availability of higher positions. Yet, with the right skills, experience, and commitment, they can navigate their careers successfully and reach their goals⁸⁹.

Geographic Differences in Labor Attorney Salaries

Location greatly affects labor attorney salaries. Salary.com’s data shows that some U.S. cities pay more than the national average¹⁰. For example, San Francisco pays labor attorneys 25% more than the average. Washington, D.C. and New York City pay 11.3% and 16.8% more, respectively¹⁰.

But, some places like Miami, Florida, and Dallas, Texas, pay less. They pay 3.5% and 1.3% less than the national average, respectively¹⁰. These differences are due to living costs, legal service demand, and law firm density in each area¹⁰.

• The highest-paying metropolitan areas for labor attorneys include San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; and New York, NY¹⁰.
• The lowest-paying areas for labor attorneys include Miami, FL and Dallas, TX¹⁰.

Some smaller cities like Midland, Michigan, and Midland, Texas, also pay well. They offer average salaries of $184,610 and $182,870, respectively¹⁰. This shows how location affects labor attorney pay across the U.S.

The data shows big differences in labor attorney salaries across the U.S. It’s clear that location matters a lot when looking at their pay¹⁰.

Conclusion

The salary for labor attorneys in the U.S. is complex. Lawyers made about $126,930 a year as of May 2020¹¹. In big cities like New York or San Francisco, they can make over $180,000¹¹. But in smaller places, their pay is closer to the national average or a bit less¹¹.

Many things affect how much a labor attorney makes. These include where they work, how long they’ve been practicing, and the type of law they specialize in¹¹. Changes in labor laws can also open up new chances for them to earn more¹¹. Places like California, Washington D.C., and New York tend to pay more¹¹.

Looking at labor law attorney earnings, we see big differences. For example, those managing companies make about $174,280 a year¹². But those working for the state make around $97,440¹². Knowing these details helps lawyers plan their careers and understand their earning possibilities.

Source Links

1. Salaries of Legal Professionals 2023 – https://www.ilrg.com/employment/salaries
2. Labor and Employment Attorney IV Salary in Boston,Massachusetts (October, 2024) | Salary.com – https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/labor-and-employment-attorney-iv-salary/boston-ma
3. Employment/Labor Law – https://www.law.georgetown.edu/your-life-career/career-exploration-professional-development/for-jd-students/explore-legal-careers/practice-areas/employmentlabor-law/
4. Employment Law Attorney I Salary | Salary.com – https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/employment-law-attorney-i-salary
5. Labor and Employment Attorney III Salary, Hourly Rate (October, 2024) in the United States | Salary.com – https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/labor-and-employment-attorney-iii-salary
6. Entry-Level (Honors Program) and Experienced Attorneys – Attorney Salaries, Promotions, and Benefits – https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorney-salaries-promotions-and-benefits
7. Do Labor Attorney Salaries Match Their Tough Career Schedules? – https://www.lawcrossing.com/article/900013745/Do-Labor-Attorney-Salaries-Match-Their-Tough-Career-Schedules/
8. Lawyers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more – RaiseMe – https://www.raise.me/careers/legal/lawyers/
9. Career Advancement Opportunities for Lawyers | E.P. Dine – https://www.epdine.com/post/advancement-opportunities-for-lawyers
10. ABA Profile of the Legal Profession – https://www.abalegalprofile.com/wages.html
11. Jobya Learning Center – What Can You Earn as a Labor Attorney? Salary Insights and Factors – https://jobya.com/library/roles/a5c8e9f2/labor_attorney/articles/a5c8e9f2_labor_attorney_salary_insights
12. Attorney Wages: Trends and Influences in 2024 – Web Upon: Portland SEO, Web Design & Digital Advertising Agency – https://webupon.com/blog/attorney-wages/