Lawyer Salary and Job Information

Open your local phone book to the business section and you'll probably find pages of listings, filled with ads posted by practicing attorneys. You'll see ads for lawyers broadcasting their services in areas of divorce, bankruptcy and probate, to name a few. Lawyers work very hard to reach the point where they can retain clients and try cases. Those interested in becoming an attorney should know that you have to complete four years of undergraduate study; and, after college, you must graduate from law school before taking the state bar exam. Lawyers must pass the bar exam before advising their clients.

Job Information

Lawyers preform many different tasks throughout their day that include trying cases in court, advising clients and researching information. Attorneys often work over 40 hours per week, especially when they're putting together the finishing touches on a case. Lawyers work as an advocate and an adviser, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Attorneys help their clients win in court. They're, essentially, the client's support system. Lawyers advise clients on all matters relating to the law. Different areas that attorneys work in include probate, criminal law, bankruptcy and international law.

Salary

The average lawyer salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $110,000 per year. An attorney's take home pay can range between $74,000 and $164 thousand a year. Factors that determine a lawyer's wage include where you work, where you live and your level of experience. The more willing you are to relocate, the chance of you landing a high-paying job increases. You can raise how much you make by earning an advance degree that relates to some aspect of the law.