Median pay
$151,160
Median annual pay for Lawyers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Legal
Lawyers
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
10-year growth
4.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings
31,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment
864,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Lawyers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost
+35,900
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation
Doctoral or professional degree
Typical education needed to enter Lawyers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile
What the work involves
Strongest O*NET signals first.
Essential skills
- 1Speaking
- 2Active Listening
- 3Critical Thinking
- 4Reading Comprehension
- 5Writing
- 6Active Learning
Knowledge areas
- 1Law and Government
- 2English Language
- 3Customer and Personal Service
- 4Administrative
- 5Computers and Electronics
- 6Communications and Media
Abilities
- 1Oral Expression
- 2Oral Comprehension
- 3Written Comprehension
- 4Written Expression
- 5Speech Clarity
- 6Deductive Reasoning
Career interests
- 1Enterprising
- 2Conventional
- 3Investigative
- 4Social
- 5Artistic
- 6Realistic
Work styles
- 1Integrity
- 2Attention to Detail
- 3Dependability
- 4Intellectual Curiosity
- 5Achievement Orientation
- 6Cautiousness
Work activities
- 1Getting Information
- 2Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- 3Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- 4Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- 5Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- 6Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Work context
- 1E-Mail
- 2Telephone Conversations
- 3Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- 4Contact With Others
- 5Freedom to Make Decisions
- 6Spend Time Sitting
Representative tasks
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.
- Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
Software and tools
Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Project · hot technologyGoogle Analytics · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyAdobe Acrobat · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyNolo Quicken Legal Business ProMicrosoft SharePoint Server
Sources
BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.