Cecily Zamora
In 2010, the national median salary for law graduates was $72,000, with a national mean of $93,454. However, first-year associates at large law firms could expect to earn around $160,000, with some firms offering starting salaries as high as $160,000. This represented a significant increase compared to the previous year, with the mean salary falling by 6.5% from 2010 to 2011.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First-year associate salaries in large law firms | $160,000 |
| Median national salary for the class of 2009 | $72,000 |
| National mean salary for the class of 2009 | $93,454 |
| National median salary at law firms for the class of 2009 | $130,000 |
| National mean salary at law firms for the class of 2009 | $115,254 |
| Mean salary change compared to 2010 | -6.5% |
| Mean salary change compared to 2009 | -16% |
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What You'll Learn
The national median salary for 2009 was $72,000
While the median salary provides a useful benchmark, it's important to recognize that salaries in the legal profession can vary significantly. Some large law firms offered salaries in the range of $160,000, while many other positions in the field were clustered in the $40,000 to $65,000 range. This variation resulted in relatively few salaries being close to the median or mean values.
The year 2009 presented new challenges for law graduates entering the job market due to the economic recession. Despite the challenging economic climate, law firms of all sizes continued to increase their first-year associate salaries. This trend was more pronounced in larger firms, where percentage increases in starting salaries outpaced those of their smaller counterparts.
The median salary for law firm associates specifically, based on those reporting a salary, was $130,000 in 2009. This represented a $5,000 increase from the previous year, when the median salary at law firms was $125,000. The national mean salary at law firms was $115,254 in 2009.
Overall, the national median salary of $72,000 for 2009 reflects the earnings landscape for law school graduates entering the job market at that time. It's important to consider that salary trends in the legal profession can be influenced by various factors, including market conditions, competition for talent, and the size and location of the firm.
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The national mean salary for 2009 was $93,454
It is worth noting that the national median salary for the Class of 2009 was $72,000, which indicates that the distribution of salaries may have been skewed by extremely high or low values. The median value, being the middle point of a data set, is often considered a more representative measure of central tendency when outliers are present.
In the context of law firm salaries, the data shows a wide range of values. While some large law firms offered salaries in the $160,000 range, many other salaries fell between $40,000 and $65,000. This variation in salary reflects the diverse nature of the legal profession, encompassing both large and small firms with varying compensation structures.
The data also reveals that law firm associate salaries changed little from 2010 to 2011, with the prevailing salary for first-year associates at large firms remaining at $160,000. This stability in compensation suggests that the legal profession, particularly within large firms, maintained consistent salary standards during this period.
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The national median salary for law firms in 2009 was $130,000
This data reflects the salary landscape for law graduates in 2009, which was characterised by two distinct peaks in salary distribution. The first peak was in the $40,000 to $65,000 range, while the second peak reflected the big-law salary for that year, with some large law firms offering salaries in the $160,000 range. This range of salaries is not new, as the doubled-peaked distribution was first observed with the Class of 2000.
The median salary for law firms in 2009 showcases the competitive nature of the industry, with law firms of all sizes increasing their first-year associate salaries over the years. This increase in first-year salaries is more pronounced in larger firms, with the percentage increase being double that of smaller firms. By 2010, the $160,000 salary for first-year associates remained prevalent in large firms across various markets.
The national median salary figure of $130,000 for law firms in 2009 provides valuable insight into the earning potential for law graduates at that time. It is important to recognise that salaries can vary based on various factors, including firm size, market competition, and individual performance. Nonetheless, the median salary figure serves as a benchmark for understanding the compensation levels within the legal industry during that period.
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The national mean salary for law firms in 2009 was $115,254
In comparison, the national median salary for all 2009 graduates working full-time and reporting a salary was $72,000, unchanged from 2008. The national mean salary for all graduates in 2009 was $93,454, down from $94,677 in 2008.
While the national mean and median salaries for law firms decreased or remained stagnant between 2008 and 2009, the overall trend since the mid-1990s has been an increase in first-year associate salaries at law firms of all sizes. This increase has been more pronounced at the largest firms, with salaries more than doubling since the mid-1990s.
By 2010, the standard first-year associate salary at large firms in many markets was $160,000, though this remained largely unchanged from 2009 to 2011. By 2019, the overall median first-year salary at law firms had increased to $155,000, a jump of $20,000 (14.8%) from 2017.
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The mean salary fell 6.5% from 2010 to 2011
The mean salary for first-year lawyers fell by 6.5% from 2010 to 2011. This decrease is likely due to the economic recession that occurred in the late 2000s. During this time, law firms, particularly large ones, adjusted their associate salaries. While some maintained the starting salary of $160,000 for first-year associates, others reduced their compensation levels.
In 2010, the national median salary for law school graduates was $72,000, unchanged from the previous year. However, the national mean salary was $93,454, indicating a wide range of earnings. The median salary specifically for first-year associates at large law firms was $160,000, and this figure remained relatively consistent into 2011.
The economic climate and market conditions likely influenced the slight decline in mean salary from 2010 to 2011. Law firms, especially the larger ones, faced the challenge of balancing profitability and attracting top talent. This dynamic resulted in a mixed approach to starting salaries, with some firms opting to maintain or reduce their first-year associate pay.
It is worth noting that the mean salary for first-year lawyers has historically been higher in large law firms compared to smaller ones. Data from 2019 supports this trend, showing a median first-year salary of $155,000, with a significant increase of $20,000 from 2017. This rise in compensation is attributed to the success of Big Law firms and the competitive nature of the industry, where firms strive to attract the best talent from top law schools.
While the mean salary for first-year lawyers experienced a dip in 2011, it is important to view this within the broader context of economic fluctuations and the unique challenges faced by law firms during that time. The decline in mean salary during that period does not diminish the overall competitiveness and attractiveness of Big Law salaries.
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Frequently asked questions
First-year big law associates were paid around $160,000 in 2010, with some large firms offering salaries starting at $160,000.
The salary remained largely flat in 2011, with no significant changes from the prior year.
The national median salary for law graduates in 2010 was $72,000, unchanged from the previous year.
The national mean salary for law graduates in 2010 was $93,454.
