NALP Bulletin, November 2009

During this past summer, NALP conducted its biennial Law School Career Services Survey, continuing a practice of benchmarking law school career services staffing and facilities that dates back almost as long as NALP has existed.

A total of 129 law schools responded to the survey, but not all answered all questions, particularly with respect to salaries. Table 1 highlights some key findings from the 2009 survey. For example, the median salary for the primary career services professional (typically an assistant dean and/or director of career services) is $81,000, and the average number of years in the field is 12.

Table 2 provides some trends on items that this survey has measured over the years. Not surprisingly, career services office staff sizes have grown, as have experience levels of the primary professional. Since 2005, about 80% of primary career services professionals have had a JD degree. The median salary has increased only modestly in the past two years.

The full report will be available later this fall and posted on NALP's website as a member benefit.

Note:  The 1974-75 survey did not distinguish between "primary" and "second" professionals when tabulating education, experience levels, and salaries. Since a number of these second individuals were described as secretaries or administrative assistants, the figures may be somewhat deflated.  However, the vast majority of individuals covered by the survey, about 80%, were the primary, and only, individual in the office.
*    Salary median is estimated because salary information was reported in ranges.
**    Number shown is number of surveys received. The number of responses to specific questions may be less.