A career in the office of an Attorney General represents one of the most prestigious paths in public service law. These roles offer the unique opportunity to shape public policy, uphold justice, and represent the interests of millions of citizens. But beyond the significant impact, what is the financial reality of this career?
While the salary for the single United States Attorney General is a fixed, high-level figure, the compensation for the thousands of attorneys working in state and federal offices varies widely. An attorney in this field can expect a salary ranging from approximately $75,000 for an entry-level position to well over $180,000 for a senior-level role, with top appointed officials earning even more.
This guide will break down the salary expectations for attorneys at all levels of government service, from state Assistant Attorneys General to the head of the Department of Justice, and explore the key factors that influence your earning potential.
What Does an Attorney General Do?
Before diving into compensation, it's crucial to understand the role. The term "Attorney General" can refer to several distinct positions:
- The United States Attorney General: The chief law enforcement officer and chief lawyer of the U.S. government. This individual is a member of the President's cabinet and heads the Department of Justice (DOJ). They are a political appointee, not a lifelong civil servant.
- State Attorneys General: Each of the 50 states and U.S. territories has an Attorney General who serves as the chief legal officer for that state. They represent the state in legal disputes, provide legal advice to the governor and state agencies, and enforce state laws. Most are elected officials.
- Assistant Attorneys General (AAGs): This is the most common career path. AAGs are the workhorses of the legal system, representing the state or federal government in a vast array of legal matters. They handle everything from consumer protection litigation and criminal appeals to environmental law and civil rights enforcement. This article will primarily focus on the salary landscape for these vital legal professionals.
Average Salary of an Attorney General
Compensation for an attorney in an Attorney General's office is determined by the level of government (federal or state), title, and experience.
### The United States Attorney General
As a member of the President's cabinet, the U.S. Attorney General's salary is set by Congress. It corresponds to Level I of the Executive Schedule, which, as of 2024, is $246,300 per year.
*Source: U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)*
### State Attorneys General
The salaries for the 50 state Attorneys General are set by their respective state legislatures and vary significantly. According to the Council of State Governments, salaries can range from just over $90,000 to more than $180,000 annually. For example, Tennessee's Attorney General earns one of the highest salaries at over $189,000, while Oregon's earns closer to $93,000.
*Source: The Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States"*
### Assistant Attorneys General (The Typical Career Path)
For the thousands of lawyers working as Assistant Attorneys General, salaries are more varied and reflect factors like experience and location. Here’s a look at the data from leading salary aggregators (as of late 2023/early 2024):
- Salary.com reports the average salary for an Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. is approximately $124,500, with a typical range falling between $102,150 and $150,300.
- Glassdoor places the average total pay (including potential additional compensation) at around $136,000 per year, with a likely range of $107,000 to $174,000.
- Payscale estimates the average salary to be around $102,000, with entry-level positions starting near $70,000 and experienced AAGs earning upwards of $150,000.
This data illustrates that while public sector law may not match the highest salaries in private practice, it provides a stable and competitive income, especially for experienced professionals.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your specific salary as an attorney in a government office is not a single number but a range influenced by several critical factors.
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Level of Education
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school is the mandatory educational requirement. While the degree itself is the primary qualifier, certain educational achievements can provide an edge. Graduating from a top-tier law school, serving on a law review, or earning a specialized post-J.D. degree (like an LL.M. in taxation or environmental law) can make a candidate more competitive, potentially leading to a position in a more specialized, higher-paying division.
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Years of Experience
Experience is arguably the most significant driver of salary growth in an Attorney General's office. Government pay structures, like the federal General Schedule (GS) scale, are explicitly designed to reward tenure and expertise.
- Entry-Level (0-3 years): Attorneys fresh out of law school or with a few years of experience typically start as junior AAGs. Their salaries often fall in the $75,000 to $95,000 range, depending on the state and its pay scale.
- Mid-Career (4-10 years): With substantial litigation and advisory experience, AAGs can expect significant salary increases. Mid-career professionals often earn between $100,000 and $140,000.
- Senior-Level (10+ years): Senior AAGs, division chiefs, and deputy attorneys general hold supervisory roles and handle the most complex cases. Their salaries frequently exceed $140,000, with top positions in high-cost-of-living states reaching $180,000 or more.
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Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. State budgets and local cost of living create significant salary disparities. Attorneys in states with a higher cost of living and larger tax bases, such as California, New York, and Illinois, will generally earn more than their counterparts in states with lower costs of living, like Mississippi or Arkansas.
For instance, an Assistant Attorney General in Sacramento, CA, might earn 15-25% more than one in a similar role in Little Rock, AR, to account for the drastic difference in living expenses.
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Company Type
In this context, "Company Type" refers to the level of government.
- Federal Government (Department of Justice): Attorneys working for the DOJ, often as Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) or Trial Attorneys, are paid on the federal GS scale or similar administratively determined pay systems. These scales are often slightly higher and more structured than many state-level systems, particularly after factoring in locality pay for major metropolitan areas.
- State Government (State Attorney General's Office): These offices have their own unique pay scales set by the state legislature. While sometimes lower than federal pay, state jobs often offer excellent benefits, state pension plans, and significant student loan forgiveness opportunities through programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
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Area of Specialization
Within an Attorney General's office, some divisions handle more complex or high-stakes work, which can influence career trajectory and earning potential. While base pay scales are often standardized, expertise in a highly sought-after area can lead to faster promotions to senior, higher-paying roles. Key specializations include:
- Antitrust and Consumer Protection: Involves complex litigation against major corporations.
- Cybercrime and Data Privacy: A rapidly growing and highly technical field.
- Constitutional Law and Civil Rights: Handles foundational legal challenges and enforcement.
- Environmental Law: Requires specialized scientific and regulatory knowledge.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for lawyers, including those in public service, is positive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for lawyers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
The BLS projects about 39,100 openings for lawyers each year, on average, over the decade. While competition for government positions is always strong due to the stability, excellent benefits, and rewarding work, the consistent need for state and federal governments to handle litigation and regulatory matters ensures a steady demand for qualified attorneys.
Conclusion
Pursuing a career in an Attorney General's office is a commitment to public service that also offers a secure and respectable professional path. While it may not offer the astronomical salaries of "Big Law," the compensation is competitive and grows significantly with experience.
Key Takeaways:
- A Wide Spectrum: Salaries range from a fixed $246,300 for the U.S. Attorney General to a typical AAG range of $100,000 to $160,000.
- Experience is King: Your earnings will increase substantially as you gain experience and take on more senior responsibilities.
- Location Matters: Expect higher salaries in high-cost-of-living states and major metropolitan areas.
- A Stable Future: With a strong job outlook and the stability of government employment, a career as a public attorney is a sound long-term investment in your professional future.
For any lawyer passionate about justice and public policy, a career in an Attorney General's office is an exceptionally rewarding choice, both personally and professionally.