Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Corporate Attorney vs Lawyer salary

In Australia, a corporate attorney earns about 95% more than a lawyer $285,916 vs $146,428 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AUD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Legal
Corporate Attorney
$285,916/yr
Monthly
$23,803
Hourly
$137
Range
$144,415$458,923
10-yr outlook
+8%
Legal
Lawyer
$146,428/yr
Monthly
$12,214
Hourly
$70
Range
$80,570$226,998
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileCorporate AttorneyLawyer
Entry (10th)$144,415$80,570
25th$215,131$113,464
Median$285,916$146,428
75th$372,385$186,678
Senior (90th)$458,923$226,998

National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Legal comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a corporate attorney or lawyer earn more in Australia?
A corporate attorney earns more, at about $412,000 per year vs $211,000 for a lawyer — roughly 95% ($201,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A corporate attorney typically earns $208,100–$661,300, while a lawyer earns $116,100–$327,100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a corporate attorney averages about $34,300 and a lawyer about $17,600.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a corporate attorney earns about $208,100 while a lawyer earns about $116,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a corporate attorney earns about $661,300 while a lawyer earns about $327,100 per year.
Are corporate attorney and lawyer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Legal category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.