Corporate Attorney vs Lawyer salary
In United States, a corporate attorney earns about 20% more than a lawyer — $199,000 vs $166,000 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Legal
Corporate Attorney$199,000/yr
- Monthly
- $16,600
- Hourly
- $96
- Range
- $100,500–$319,400
- 10-yr outlook
- +8%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Corporate Attorney | Lawyer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $100,500 | $91,300 |
| 25th | $149,700 | $128,700 |
| Median | $199,000 | $166,000 |
| 75th | $259,200 | $211,600 |
| Senior (90th) | $319,400 | $257,300 |
National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Legal comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a corporate attorney or lawyer earn more in United States?
- A corporate attorney earns more, at about $199,000 per year vs $166,000 for a lawyer — roughly 20% ($33,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
- A corporate attorney typically earns $100,500–$319,400, while a lawyer earns $91,300–$257,300 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a corporate attorney averages about $16,600 and a lawyer about $13,800.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United States, a corporate attorney earns about $100,500 while a lawyer earns about $91,300 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United States, a corporate attorney earns about $319,400 while a lawyer earns about $257,300 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.