December 2024
NALP’s Inaugural Canadian Associate Salary Survey Open Through January 31, 2025
Since 1995, NALP has been surveying law firms to collect information about the salaries of associates, producing our biennial U.S. Associate Salary Survey report. For the 2025 administration, we are pleased to announce the inaugural Canadian version of this survey.
This new survey collects benchmarking data on associate salaries and bonuses by years of experience, in addition to articling and summer student compensation. We will provide the resulting national summary tables free of charge to NALP members and survey participants. Similar to the companion U.S. survey, a more detailed report will be available for purchase with additional breakouts, such as by firm size and city, but this information is only possible with robust participation from Canadian law offices. Your participation will contribute to a comprehensive report that reflects current industry practices.
A PDF version of the survey is available to assist in compiling your data, however all survey information must be submitted via this web-based survey.
Special Report Offer for Survey Participants
Survey participants receive access to exclusive discounted pricing on the 2025 Canadian Associate Salary Survey report. To receive the special pricing — a savings of at least $25 off the regular price — submit your pre-order form to the NALP office after completing the survey. All pre-orders must be submitted by the survey deadline of January 31 to receive the discount.
Law School Resources
If you work at a Canadian law school, NALP can you use your assistance in disseminating this survey to your law firm contacts, particularly at smaller-sized law firms. This sample email message (MS Word) can be used to communicate with employers, but feel free to customize the language.
As a thank you for your assistance in distributing the survey, NALP will offer the same law firm participant pre-order report pricing to law schools that refer any non-NALP member firms that complete the survey. Firms will have the ability to indicate the referral within the survey and NALP staff will be in touch with a pre-order form if your law school is listed by a firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my information remain confidential?
Absolutely! No information that identifies specific firms is published and all analyses are based on a minimum of five participating firms or offices. We ask that you provide your name and firm name on the survey so that NALP can screen for duplicate submissions and follow up if there are questions regarding the information submitted. This helps to ensure the integrity of the report.
I only want to participate if my city is in the report. Can you guarantee that my city will be included?
That depends — on you! Information for your city can be reported only if at least five firms from your city completed the survey. If you participate in the survey and encourage colleagues in your city to complete the survey too, you can help include your location in the report.
Our firm is a small firm with only a few associates. Should I still complete the survey?
Yes! Even if your firm does not have an established salary structure or does not employ associates in every category, you can complete as much of the salary information as is applicable to your firm. Your participation will allow NALP to provide more comprehensive benchmarking of salaries in small firms.
I’m not interested in purchasing the report. What do I receive simply for participating?
Participants receive a free National Summary Report that includes several national data tables. To receive this report (provided as a PDF through a special link), simply provide your name and email address in your completed survey by Friday, January 31.
How much does the report cost?
The PDF report is available to participants at a special discounted price of $75 US (a savings of $25 or more). To order your report, fill out the pre-order form above and return it to the NALP office by Friday, January 31 after completing your web-based survey. You must order the report by this date to receive the special discounted price.
I work at a law school and want to use the report data to counsel students and recent graduates. How can I assist in ensuring a comprehensive report?
You can help to ensure a comprehensive report by disseminating this survey to your Canadian law firm contacts, particularly at smaller-sized firms. The sample email message posted on this page above under “Law School Resources” can be used to communicate with employers, but feel free to customize the language. As a thank you for your assistance in distributing the survey, NALP will offer the same law firm participant pre-order report pricing to law schools that refer any non-NALP member firms that complete the survey.
Have additional questions?
Contact NALP’s research team at research@nalp.org if you have any additional questions regarding the survey.
