Overview
SourcedRepresent 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.
O*NET definition of Lawyers (SOC 23-1011) · Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed.
Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 23-1011, including Government Attorney (agency counsel), Prosecutor / Assistant District Attorney.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Lawyers (SOC 23-1011) naming each level as required to be hired, 22 respondents, O*NET survey August 2024. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedLawyers typically need a law degree and a state license, which usually requires passing a bar examination.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Lawyers”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 23-1011
- None
- Job zone
- Extensive Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialCivil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Trainee / Assistant
- Level I
- Level II (journey)
- Level III / Senior
- Lead / Principal
- Supervisor
- Manager
- Director / Division Chief
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 40,500 | $118,290 | $144,850 | $178,380 | $195,190 | $203,220 |
| State | 54,710 | $77,250 | $92,980 | $116,450 | $146,510 | $178,930 |
| Local | 68,230 | $80,520 | $100,340 | $131,590 | $172,550 | $220,420 |
| All government | 163,430 | $82,160 | $102,480 | $134,680 | $176,330 | $205,110 |
| Private sector | 591,070 | $76,870 | $103,080 | $166,280 | $242,940 | $367,760 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
State government pay plans
Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Public Defender in 4 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.
| State | Job classes in the state plan | Annual range |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Public Defender I–III 3 classes · effective July 1, 2025 · Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management | $71,027 – $169,298 |
| Iowa | Public Defender 1–3 3 classes · effective June 19, 2026 · Iowa Department of Administrative Services | $63,586 – $156,499 |
| Maryland | Asst Pub Defender I–V, Asst Pub Defender Senior 5 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) | $87,253 – $190,376 |
| Ohio | Assistant Public Defender 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation | $76,440 – $108,722 |
Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Sources: 4 official state pay plans, linked in each row.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2024). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.4.5
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.4.4
- 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.4.4
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.4.3
- Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.4.3
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.4.3
- Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.4.2
- Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.4.2
- Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.4.0
- Negotiate settlements of civil disputes.4.0
The 10 most important of 15 core tasks for Lawyers, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2024.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) Two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice exam given three times a year; required for bar admission in all but two U.S. jurisdictions (Wisconsin and Puerto Rico). | National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) | US | licensing | Official page |
| NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen UBE) Single scaled score (500-750) combining multiple-choice questions, integrated question sets and performance tasks; first administered July 2026 in initial jurisdictions. | National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) with adopting jurisdictions | US | licensing | Official page |
| Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) Composed of the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), two Multistate Performance Test (MPT) tasks and the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE); portable score; legacy UBE administered through February 2028. | National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) with UBE jurisdictions | US | licensing | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests
Multistate Bar ExaminationEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- Multistate Essay ExaminationEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Multistate Performance TestEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Multistate Professional Responsibility ExaminationPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NextGen Bar ExaminationPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Uniform Bar ExaminationPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
State versions: 51 states. Pick yours:
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Lawyers (SOC 23-1011) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 91,870 | $85,200 | $207,860 | $391,420 |
| District of Columbia | 33,070 | $120,580 | $195,190 | $392,750 |
| California | 95,770 | $97,950 | $195,080 | $369,180 |
| Massachusetts | 23,560 | $82,100 | $176,680 | $374,410 |
| Delaware | 2,920 | $101,200 | $173,510 | $354,910 |
| Colorado | 16,720 | $83,350 | $168,520 | $336,970 |
| Virginia | 18,580 | $79,330 | $167,210 | $320,220 |
| Connecticut | 8,420 | $91,180 | $163,600 | $342,970 |
| New Jersey | 23,160 | $93,810 | $161,430 | $328,270 |
| Illinois | 33,590 | $82,160 | $160,800 | $330,200 |
| Pennsylvania | 27,170 | $77,100 | $157,180 | $323,370 |
| Minnesota | 12,380 | $79,820 | $155,140 | $341,170 |
| Texas | 56,580 | $79,340 | $154,200 | $349,490 |
| Washington | 12,770 | $94,260 | $154,130 | $298,210 |
| Nevada | 6,490 | $96,010 | $150,510 | $414,290 |
| Alaska | 1,120 | $86,230 | $149,940 | $281,780 |
| Maryland | 13,810 | $81,730 | $139,110 | $269,020 |
| Rhode Island | 1,840 | $80,710 | $138,960 | $268,270 |
| Oregon | 7,150 | $73,610 | $138,210 | $263,790 |
| Tennessee | 9,010 | $76,510 | $136,180 | $324,880 |
| Georgia | 23,930 | $58,750 | $134,830 | $317,820 |
| Arizona | 11,640 | $85,990 | $134,260 | $268,170 |
| Missouri | 11,560 | $67,020 | $133,450 | $299,990 |
| Florida | 55,210 | $75,530 | $133,180 | $301,050 |
| Utah | 7,020 | $59,990 | $132,830 | $347,090 |
| Alabama | 6,730 | $62,310 | $131,970 | $249,090 |
| Ohio | 19,950 | $69,790 | $131,020 | $269,530 |
| Michigan | 16,620 | $77,180 | $130,520 | $238,370 |
| North Carolina | 17,000 | $61,610 | $127,710 | $323,720 |
| Vermont | 1,330 | $85,510 | $127,310 | $336,450 |
| Indiana | 8,970 | $65,750 | $126,860 | $327,960 |
| Wisconsin | 9,160 | $76,010 | $126,760 | $362,040 |
| Hawaii | 2,270 | $73,890 | $124,990 | $179,010 |
| Iowa | 3,550 | $63,790 | $123,550 | $268,460 |
| New Hampshire | 2,250 | $65,670 | $120,810 | $358,300 |
| South Carolina | 7,890 | $63,140 | $120,310 | $301,140 |
| New Mexico | 3,380 | $76,100 | $119,680 | $232,890 |
| Maine | 2,280 | $76,820 | $113,120 | $215,610 |
| Nebraska | 3,490 | $65,030 | $109,170 | $217,700 |
| North Dakota | 1,050 | $70,500 | $106,880 | $194,840 |
| Kansas | 4,190 | $76,300 | $106,650 | $213,360 |
| Louisiana | 10,200 | $50,140 | $104,100 | $227,230 |
| Montana | 2,380 | $62,090 | $103,720 | $179,620 |
| Idaho | 2,490 | $50,730 | $103,400 | $216,660 |
| Oklahoma | 6,980 | $57,950 | $103,060 | $207,340 |
| West Virginia | 2,440 | $64,950 | $102,420 | $206,370 |
| South Dakota | 1,360 | $76,920 | $102,040 | $234,690 |
| Kentucky | 5,770 | $63,010 | $101,550 | $187,180 |
| Wyoming | 900 | $61,170 | $100,130 | $233,950 |
| Arkansas | 3,430 | $49,900 | $98,880 | $220,660 |
| Mississippi | 3,100 | $47,670 | $91,690 | $176,750 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules