|
NALP announces publication of new research that for the first time documents
salary information for both entry-level and experienced attorneys at public
sector and public interest organizations.
According to the 2004 Public Sector and Public Interest Attorney Salary
Report, the median entry-level salary for an attorney at a civil legal
services organization is $34,000; an attorney with 11-15 years of experience can
expect a salary of about $52,000. The median entry-level salary for public
defenders is $39,000; with 11-15 years of experience the median is $65,000. The
salary progression for state and local prosecuting attorneys is similar,
starting at about $40,000 and progressing to $68,000-69,000 for those with 11-15
years of experience. Finally, salaries for attorneys in public interest
organizations, such as those dealing with elder law or children's rights, start
at $36,700 and rise to $64,000 with 11-15 years of experience.
Median Salaries for Attorneys by Type of Organization and Years of
Experience
| Years of experience |
Civil legal services
organizations |
Public defenders |
Local prosecuting attorneys |
State prosecuting attorneys |
Public interest
organizations |
| Entry-level |
$34,000 |
$39,000 |
$40,000 |
$40,574 |
$36,656 |
| 5 years |
40,000 |
50,000 |
52,000 |
47,700 |
46,313 |
| 11-15 years |
51,927 |
65,000 |
69,255 |
68,139 |
64,000 |
These are among the key findings of the report, based on a 2004 nationwide
salary survey conducted by NALP among civil legal services organizations;
offices of public defenders, state attorneys general and local prosecuting
attorneys; and public interest organizations. As the result of this survey,
completed by 415 organizations, NALP has been able to compile salary information
by years of experience. The study benchmarks salaries for each type of
organization for each of the first seven years, then in increments for attorneys
with 8-10 years of experience, 11-15 years of experience, and more than 15 years
of experience.
In addition to national salary figures, the report provides sub-national
analyses based on region of the country and population. For example, salaries at
civil legal services organizations are somewhat higher in the West, with a
median starting salary of $37,750 and increasing to $58,000 for attorneys with
11-15 years of experience. Among public interest organizations, salary scales
are somewhat higher in the Northeast.
Salaries in larger metropolitan areas are generally more lucrative, but not
necessarily by large amounts, particularly at the entry levels. For example, the
median starting salary for a local prosecutor is about $40,000 in rural areas,
compared with $44,300 in metropolitan areas of more than two million in
population. With 11-15 years of experience, the respective figures are $66,450
and $85,200.
The survey also gathered information about benefits and workplace policies.
Among the findings:
- Legal services organizations are most likely to pay the full premium for
health and dental insurance for their employees-73% and 61% of respondents,
respectively, reported doing so. Among local prosecuting attorney offices, the
figures were 42% and 23.5%.
- Legal services and public interest organizations typically provide more
vacation days, with a median of 15 days for new employees and 22 to 25 days
after 10 years. At public defender and prosecuting attorney offices, employees
typically start with 10 days and can work up to 20 days after 10
years.
|
