Pursuing a career in federal law is a prestigious and impactful path, offering the chance to represent the interests of the United States in the nation's highest courts. For many aspiring lawyers, a role within the Department of Justice, particularly as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), represents a pinnacle of public service. But beyond the prestige, what is the financial reality of this career?
This article will break down the salary structure for federal attorneys, from the singular, cabinet-level U.S. Attorney General to the more common role of an Assistant U.S. Attorney. While the Attorney General's salary is a fixed figure set by Congress, the salary for an AUSA can range significantly, often from $70,000 to over $180,000 per year, depending on a variety of key factors.
What Does a U.S. Attorney Do?
It's crucial to distinguish between two key roles that share a similar title:
1. The Attorney General of the United States: This is a single, cabinet-level position. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, the Attorney General is the head of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government. They oversee the entire DOJ, including the FBI, DEA, and all 93 U.S. Attorneys' Offices.
2. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA): This is the role most people refer to when discussing a career as a federal prosecutor. AUSAs are the frontline litigators who represent the U.S. government in legal proceedings within a specific federal judicial district. Their responsibilities are vast and include:
- Prosecuting federal crimes, such as drug trafficking, white-collar fraud, cybercrime, and public corruption.
- Representing federal agencies in civil lawsuits (e.g., defending against tort claims or enforcing federal regulations).
- Investigating cases alongside federal agents from the FBI, IRS, and other agencies.
- Negotiating plea bargains and managing cases from indictment through to appeal.
For the remainder of this guide, we will focus primarily on the salary and career path of an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), as this represents the career opportunity available to legal professionals.
Average Assistant U.S. Attorney Salary
The salary for an AUSA is not determined by market rates in the same way as a private-sector job. Instead, it is set by the federal government's Administratively Determined (AD) pay scale. This scale is distinct from the General Schedule (GS) pay system that governs many other federal employees.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the 2024 AD pay scale for most of the country ranges from $73,738 (AD-21, Step A) to $164,103 (AD-29, Step F).
However, this base pay is adjusted for cost of living through a system called "locality pay." In high-cost-of-living areas, the maximum salary can be significantly higher. For example, in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose metropolitan area, the 2024 locality-adjusted AUSA pay scale tops out at $191,855.
- Entry-Level AUSA Salary: A new AUSA, perhaps a few years out of law school, typically starts at the AD-21 level. Depending on location, this salary can range from approximately $74,000 to $95,000.
- Mid-Career AUSA Salary: An experienced attorney with 5-10 years of experience can expect to be at the AD-25 to AD-27 level, earning between $110,000 and $150,000+, heavily influenced by locality pay.
- Senior/Supervisory AUSA Salary: Senior litigators or those in management positions can reach the highest steps of the AD scale, with potential earnings exceeding $180,000 in major metropolitan areas.
Salary aggregators like Glassdoor report an average total pay for Assistant United States Attorneys of around $169,000 per year, which reflects the blend of experienced attorneys in various locations across the country.
Note on the U.S. Attorney General's Salary: As a cabinet member, the salary for The Attorney General of the United States is set at Level I of the Executive Schedule, which is $246,400 as of 2024.
Key Factors That Influence AUSA Salary
While the AD pay scale provides a clear framework, several factors determine an AUSA's specific salary and earning potential.
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Level of Education
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and bar admission in at least one state are non-negotiable requirements. While the type of law school you attend doesn't directly affect your pay grade, graduating from a top-tier institution, serving on law review, or participating in moot court can make you a more competitive applicant for these highly sought-after positions. This competitive edge allows you to enter the federal system and begin climbing the pay scale.
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Years of Experience
This is the most direct factor influencing an AUSA's salary. The DOJ has specific guidelines linking years of legal experience to placement on the AD pay scale.
- < 1 year experience: Typically starts at AD-21.
- 3-4 years experience: May be hired at the AD-23 or AD-24 level.
- 7+ years experience: An attorney with substantial litigation experience from a private firm or state prosecutor's office could be hired at the AD-25 level or higher.
Once hired, AUSAs receive "step" increases based on performance and time in the role, allowing them to progress steadily up the pay scale.
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Geographic Location
As mentioned, locality pay is a significant driver of salary variance. The federal government recognizes that the cost of living differs dramatically across the country and adjusts base pay accordingly. An AUSA at an AD-25 pay grade in Little Rock, Arkansas, will have a lower nominal salary than an AUSA at the exact same grade and step in New York City or Los Angeles. This system is designed to provide comparable purchasing power for federal employees nationwide.
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Company Type (Public vs. Private Sector)
While AUSAs work for one "company"—the U.S. Government—it's essential to compare their public sector salary to private sector alternatives. An attorney with 7 years of experience at a large law firm ("BigLaw") could easily earn $300,000 to $500,000 or more, far exceeding the AUSA pay scale.
However, the comparison isn't just about salary. AUSAs benefit from:
- The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which can forgive federal student loan debt after 10 years of service.
- Excellent federal benefits, including a comprehensive pension plan (FERS), health insurance, and a generous leave policy.
- Unparalleled litigation experience and work-life balance that is often better than in high-pressure private firms.
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Area of Specialization
Within a U.S. Attorney's Office, attorneys work in either the Criminal Division or the Civil Division. While the base AD pay scale is the same for both, certain high-profile specializations can accelerate career progression. For instance, an AUSA who develops expertise in a high-demand area like national security, cybercrime, or complex financial fraud may have more opportunities for promotion to supervisory or leadership roles, which correspond to the highest levels of the pay scale.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of lawyers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This will result in about 39,100 openings for lawyers each year, on average, over the decade.
However, competition for AUSA positions is exceptionally fierce and is not solely dependent on overall market growth. Hiring levels are influenced by federal budgets, policy priorities of the current administration, and attrition rates. Despite the competition, the skills and experience gained as an AUSA are highly valued, creating excellent exit opportunities in the private sector, judiciary, and academia.
Conclusion
A career as an Assistant United States Attorney offers a path of purpose, intellectual challenge, and immense responsibility. While the salary may not reach the heights of private law firms, it is substantial, secure, and comes with outstanding federal benefits. For an AUSA, earnings are clearly defined by a government pay scale, with a typical salary ranging from $74,000 to over $180,000, dictated almost entirely by your years of experience and geographic location.
For legal professionals driven by a mission of public service, the combination of a competitive salary, robust benefits, and the profound satisfaction of upholding the law on behalf of the nation makes a career as an AUSA an incredibly rewarding choice.