Legal Intern Salaries: A Comprehensive Overview

A legal internship is a valuable opportunity for law students to gain practical experience and insight into the legal profession. For those considering or currently undertaking such an internship, understanding the compensation landscape is essential. This article provides a detailed look at legal intern salaries, exploring factors that influence pay, typical earnings at different experience levels, and strategies for increasing earning potential.

Average Hourly and Annual Earnings

In 2025, the average hourly pay for a legal intern is $18.17. Annually, the average law internship salary in the United States is $39,394. However, salaries can vary significantly, typically ranging from $24,000 to $63,000 per year. This translates to an approximate hourly rate of $18.94.

Salary by Experience Level

Experience plays a crucial role in determining a legal intern's salary. Here's a breakdown based on experience level:

Entry-Level Legal Intern (Less than 1 year of experience): An entry-level legal intern can expect an average total compensation of $17.25 per hour.
Early Career Legal Intern (1-4 years of experience): Legal interns with 1-4 years of experience earn an average total compensation of $18.58 per hour.

Factors Influencing Salary

Several factors can impact a legal intern's salary, including:

Location: Location significantly affects earning potential. For example, law interns in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island earn higher average salaries. Conversely, those in Nebraska, Arkansas, and Mississippi typically earn less. The highest-paying cities for law interns include Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, and Olympia, WA.
Education: Higher levels of education may lead to increased salary offers.
Experience: As highlighted above, more experience generally translates to higher pay.
Company: Different companies offer varying compensation packages. Law internship salaries at NAIC and PACCAR are among the highest, while companies like ACLU of Illinois and Graphic Packaging International also offer competitive salaries.

What Legal Interns Do

Legal interns assist lawyers with cases and daily operations, working in law firms or legal departments within businesses. They may work full-time after graduating from law school or part-time while still attending. Internships can be paid or unpaid, depending on the employer and program. A significant portion of their time is spent researching prior cases and legal precedents.

Highest and Lowest Pay

Data indicates that the highest hourly pay for a legal intern is $25.32, while the lowest is $13.39.

Salary Trends

Over the past decade, the average law internship salary has increased. In 2014, the average annual salary was $29,078, but it has risen to $39,394, representing an 11% increase.

Strategies to Increase Salary

Legal interns can increase their earning potential through several strategies:

Negotiate: Don't be afraid to negotiate your salary, especially if you have relevant skills or experience.
Gain Experience: Seek opportunities to gain more experience through internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs in the legal field.
Consider a Career Move: Moving to a new employer willing to pay more for your skills can increase your income potential and qualify you for promotions.
Location: Consider working in a location known for higher salaries for law interns, such as Washington, D.C., or San Francisco.

Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP)

The Department of Justice's Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) is a competitive, compensated internship program. Law students benefit from exceptional legal experience and exposure to the Department of Justice.

Eligibility:

Law students must complete at least one full semester of legal study by the application deadline.
Most successful applicants intern between their second and third year of law school.
Graduating law students entering an honors program may intern after graduation.
Part-time law students are also eligible.

Interviews are virtual, and components independently contact SLIP candidates to schedule them.

Read also: License Defense for Educators

Salary Comparison by Location and Company

Highest-Paying States: New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Lowest-Paying States: Nebraska, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
Highest-Paying Cities: Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, and Olympia, WA.
Companies with Competitive Salaries: NAIC, PACCAR, ACLU of Illinois, and Graphic Packaging International.

Types of Law Intern Positions and Salary

The type of law intern position can also impact salary. The highest-paying positions include:

Lawyer
Attorney Law Clerk
Staff Attorney

Wage Gap

There is a slight wage gap between male and female law interns, with males earning slightly more on average.

Read also: High-Paying Jobs After Law School

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