A career in public service law represents a unique opportunity to shape policy, uphold justice, and serve the nation. At the pinnacle of this path stands the United States Attorney General. While only one person can hold this cabinet-level position at a time, thousands of highly skilled government attorneys work to represent the public interest at federal and state levels.
This article demystifies the salary associated with this field. While the U.S. Attorney General earns a fixed salary set by Congress, the compensation for the government attorneys who form the backbone of the justice system is dynamic and influenced by several key factors. A career as a federal prosecutor, such as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA), offers a stable and rewarding career with salaries typically ranging from $70,000 to over $183,000 annually, complemented by robust federal benefits.
What Does a U.S. Attorney General Do?
It's important to distinguish between the U.S. Attorney General and the attorneys who work within the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The U.S. Attorney General is a singular, cabinet-level official appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. As the head of the DOJ, they serve as the chief law enforcement officer and chief lawyer of the U.S. government. Their responsibilities include advising the President, overseeing federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI and DEA, and making final decisions on major legal matters involving the United States.
However, the day-to-day work of federal prosecution and litigation is handled by thousands of Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs). Stationed in 94 federal districts across the country, AUSAs are the lawyers who:
- Prosecute individuals and organizations for federal crimes (e.g., drug trafficking, financial fraud, cybercrime).
- Represent the U.S. government and its agencies in civil lawsuits.
- Collect debts owed to the federal government.
For the purpose of career analysis, this article will focus primarily on the salary structure for AUSAs and other government attorneys, as this represents the viable and common career path for aspiring public service lawyers.
Average U.S. Attorney General Salary
The salary for government attorneys is highly structured and transparent.
- The U.S. Attorney General: The salary for this position is set by Congress under the Executive Schedule. As of 2024, the U.S. Attorney General is a Level I position, with a salary of $246,400 per year, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
- State Attorneys General: Each state has its own Attorney General, and their salaries vary widely. For example, salaries can range from around $100,000 to over $180,000 depending on the state's budget and cost of living.
- Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs): This is where the salary range becomes more relevant for career planning. AUSA salaries are determined by the federal government's Administratively Determined (AD) pay plan, which is closely linked to the General Schedule (GS) scale.
- Typical Starting Salary: A new AUSA with a few years of legal experience might start at a grade equivalent to GS-12 or GS-13, with a starting salary between $80,000 and $100,000.
- Experienced AUSA Salary: With experience, AUSAs can progress to the GS-15 level. According to the 2024 OPM pay tables, the maximum salary for a GS-15 employee is capped at $191,900, though this base pay can be higher in areas with significant locality pay adjustments. Salary.com reports the average government attorney's salary is around $160,590, with a common range falling between $139,490 and $181,790.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
For an AUSA or other government attorney, your earning potential is not arbitrary. It is influenced by a clear set of factors defined by the federal pay system.
Level of Education
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and admission to a state bar are non-negotiable prerequisites for any attorney position, including in the government. While the degree itself is the entry ticket, it doesn't directly alter the pay scale. However, exceptional academic performance, participation in prestigious programs like the DOJ Honors Program, or an advanced law degree (LL.M.) in a specialized field can make a candidate more competitive for initial hiring and may justify being hired at a higher initial step within a given pay grade.
Years of Experience
This is one of the most significant drivers of salary in the federal system. The government rewards both prior experience and longevity.
- Initial Placement: When you are hired, the DOJ will assess your years of relevant legal experience to determine your starting salary. An attorney with ten years of litigation experience will start at a much higher salary than one with only two years.
- Promotions and Steps: The GS system is built on "grades" (e.g., GS-12, GS-13) and "steps" (1-10 within each grade). Attorneys are typically promoted through grades as they gain experience (e.g., from GS-13 to GS-14). Within each grade, they receive periodic "step increases" for satisfactory performance, which serve as consistent raises.
Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. The federal government uses a "locality pay" system to adjust salaries based on the cost of living in different metropolitan areas. This ensures that an AUSA in an expensive city is compensated fairly compared to one in a more affordable region.
For example, according to the 2024 OPM GS Pay Calculator:
- A GS-14, Step 1 attorney in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA area (44.69% locality pay) earns $157,489.
- The same GS-14, Step 1 attorney in Kansas City, MO (18.42% locality pay) earns $129,513.
This difference of nearly $28,000 for the exact same job highlights the powerful impact of location on an AUSA's take-home pay.
Company Type
For this career path, the "company type" is the public sector (the U.S. government) versus the private sector. This is a critical distinction. Attorneys at large private law firms ("Big Law") often earn significantly higher salaries, with first-year associates starting at over $225,000.
However, a government career offers compelling non-monetary and financial benefits that offset the lower base salary, including:
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Federal employees are eligible for this program, which can forgive student loan debt after 10 years of service.
- Work-Life Balance: While demanding, government attorney jobs typically offer more predictable hours than their private-sector counterparts.
- Job Security and Benefits: Federal employment provides exceptional job security, a generous pension plan (FERS), a 401(k)-style Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, and comprehensive health insurance.
Area of Specialization
Within the DOJ, certain high-demand specializations can accelerate career progression. While they don't have a separate pay scale, experience in fields like cybercrime, national security, counter-terrorism, and complex financial fraud is highly valued. Attorneys with this expertise may find more opportunities for promotion to supervisory roles or positions in specialized, higher-graded units within the DOJ, leading to a faster climb up the salary ladder.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for attorneys is stable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for lawyers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This translates to about 39,100 openings for lawyers each year, on average, over the decade.
However, it is crucial to note that competition for federal government positions, especially for prestigious roles like AUSAs, is incredibly fierce. Candidates with strong academic credentials, federal clerkships, and substantial litigation experience are most likely to succeed.
Conclusion
While the title "U.S. Attorney General" refers to a single, high-profile appointee, the career path of a government attorney is an accessible and deeply rewarding one for thousands of lawyers. The salary is structured, predictable, and transparent, offering a solid income that grows with experience and location.
For individuals considering this path, the key takeaways are:
- Salary is Competitive and Stable: With a clear path to a six-figure salary and excellent benefits, a government law career offers financial security.
- Experience and Location are Key: Your earning potential is directly tied to your years of relevant experience and where you choose to work.
- The Mission is the Motivation: A career as a government attorney is about more than just a paycheck. It’s a chance to contribute to the public good, take on meaningful and complex cases, and uphold the rule of law.
For those driven by a sense of public duty and a passion for justice, a career as a federal attorney offers a unique blend of intellectual challenge, financial stability, and profound professional fulfillment.