Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

$151,160
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+4% projected 2024โ€“2034
Doctoral or professional degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Lawyers spend their days analyzing complex legal issues, researching laws and precedents, and developing strategies to help their clients navigate legal matters. They draft contracts, wills, lawsuits, and appeals, carefully crafting language that protects their clients' interests while complying with relevant statutes. Much of their time involves meeting with clients to understand their situations, explaining legal options, and providing counsel on the best course of action. When cases go to court, lawyers present evidence, examine witnesses, and argue before judges and juries, though many matters are resolved through negotiation and settlement discussions outside the courtroom.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies(grad-cert)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$220,853
Law(professional)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$220,843
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies(masters)Duke University, NC
$213,539
Law(doctoral)Cornell University, NY
$213,356
Law(professional)Northwestern University, IL
$210,979
Law(professional)University of Pennsylvania, PA
$210,273
Law(doctoral)Duke University, NC
$205,891
Law(professional)University of Virginia-Main Campus, VA
$204,216
Law(professional)University of Chicago, IL
$199,603
Law(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$196,724
Law(professional)University of Southern California, CA
$183,063
Law(professional)Harvard University, MA
$175,880
Law(professional)Fordham University, NY
$170,942
Law(professional)University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, MI
$170,537
Law(professional)Georgetown University, DC
$168,995
Law(professional)Stanford University, CA
$162,001
Law(professional)Vanderbilt University, TN
$156,307
Law(professional)University of California-Los Angeles, CA
$155,825
Law(professional)Boston University, MA
$139,986
Law(doctoral)Yale University, CT
$139,244
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$130,948
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies(masters)Georgetown University, DC
$130,394
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies(professional)Northwestern University, IL
$129,670
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies(masters)University of San Francisco, CA
$122,124
Law(professional)Boston College, MA
$117,864

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