Careers in Law: The Average Salary of Criminal Lawyers

What is a criminal lawyer?

A criminal lawyer is a licensed attorney who handles criminal cases. Prosecutors represent the government and decide how to pursue charges within their authority. Defense attorneys represent people accused of crimes and protect their constitutional and procedural rights. Defense counsel may be employed by a public defender organization, appointed by a court or retained privately.

Criminal lawyers may handle misdemeanors, felonies, appeals, post-conviction matters or investigations that occur before charges are filed. Some specialize in areas such as white-collar crime, juvenile defense, domestic violence, impaired driving or federal criminal law.

What does a criminal lawyer do?

Responsibilities depend on the lawyer's side of the case and level of seniority, but common duties include:

• Interviewing clients, witnesses and investigators

• Reviewing police reports, recordings, forensic evidence and records

• Researching statutes, court rules and prior decisions

• Drafting motions, briefs, plea agreements and other legal documents

• Advising clients about rights, risks and possible outcomes

• Negotiating with opposing counsel

• Preparing witnesses and evidence for hearings or trial

• Questioning witnesses and presenting arguments in court

• Managing deadlines, discovery and confidential case files

• Following professional-responsibility and disclosure requirements

Criminal practice often involves urgent deadlines and emotionally difficult situations. Lawyers must advocate strongly while remaining truthful to the court and compliant with ethical duties.

What is the average salary of a criminal lawyer?

A recruitment-platform estimate places average pay for associate attorneys, including some criminal lawyers, at approximately $79,155 per year. This figure is useful for general comparison but is not a dedicated survey of every criminal-law role.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for all lawyers was $151,160 in May 2024. The lowest 10% earned less than $72,780, while the highest 10% earned more than $239,200. This broader category includes highly compensated corporate and specialized attorneys, so it should not be interpreted as the typical salary for an entry-level public defender or prosecutor.

Salary figures also measure different things. A median is the midpoint of reported wages, while an average can be influenced by a small number of high earners. Private attorneys may report business income that is not directly comparable with a government salary and benefits package.

Criminal lawyer salaries by career path

The following national estimates illustrate differences among three common paths. Actual compensation depends on jurisdiction, seniority, employer and case responsibilities.

Public defender

Estimated national average salary: $73,713 per year

Public defenders represent people who cannot afford private counsel. They investigate cases, advise clients, negotiate resolutions and appear at hearings and trials. Their offices may provide valuable courtroom experience early in a lawyer's career, but caseloads can be demanding.

Public defenders are usually salaried government or nonprofit employees. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave and potential public-service loan forgiveness may add value beyond base pay when eligibility requirements are met.

Private criminal defense attorney

Estimated national average salary: $97,777 per year

Private defense attorneys are retained by clients or, in some jurisdictions, appointed to eligible cases. They perform many of the same advocacy duties as public defenders but may have greater control over which cases they accept and how fees are structured.

Earnings can vary sharply. An associate may receive a fixed salary, while a firm owner earns revenue from fees but must pay for staff, offices, insurance, marketing and other expenses. Gross fees are not the same as personal income.

Prosecutor

Prosecutors represent federal, state or local governments in criminal matters. They review evidence, make charging recommendations, negotiate pleas, comply with disclosure obligations and present cases in court. Titles include assistant district attorney, deputy prosecutor and assistant U.S. attorney.

Pay is usually determined by a published government scale, civil-service system or office budget. Compensation can differ substantially among jurisdictions and seniority levels. Prosecutors may receive public-sector benefits that are not reflected in salary alone.

Factors that affect criminal lawyer salaries

Employer type

Government offices generally use established salary bands, while private firms have more varied compensation. Firm owners may have the highest upside but also bear financial risk and administrative responsibility.

Location

Large cities may offer higher nominal pay but also have greater living costs. Some rural jurisdictions offer incentives or faster responsibility because they have difficulty recruiting attorneys.

Experience

Entry-level lawyers usually earn less than attorneys who can independently manage serious cases or supervise others. Trial experience, appellate work and specialized knowledge can increase professional value.

Case complexity

Complex felony, federal, white-collar and appellate matters may command higher private fees or require more senior government attorneys. They also demand more research, expert coordination and preparation time.

Reputation and client base

Private attorneys who build a strong professional reputation and consistent referrals may charge more. Ethical marketing, client service and reliable case management contribute to long-term practice growth.

Compensation structure

Private lawyers may be paid by salary, hourly billing, flat fees or a share of firm revenue. Public lawyers generally receive salaries and benefits. Compare guaranteed pay, bonus terms, retirement, health coverage and leave rather than salary alone.

Job outlook for criminal lawyers

The BLS does not publish a separate outlook for criminal lawyers. It projects overall lawyer employment to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Approximately 31,500 lawyer openings are projected each year on average, many because workers change occupations or leave the labor force.

Demand for prosecution and constitutionally required defense work continues, but hiring depends on government budgets and local policy. Criminal law can be competitive, so students benefit from clinics, internships, research experience and strong legal writing.

How to become a criminal lawyer

1. Earn a bachelor's degree

Law schools generally accept many undergraduate majors. Courses that develop reading, writing, research and analytical reasoning can be useful. Students interested in criminal law may also study government, sociology, psychology or criminal justice.

2. Complete the law-school admissions process

Applicants typically submit academic records, recommendations, a personal statement and any test scores required by their target schools. Requirements differ, so review each program directly.

3. Earn a Juris Doctor degree

During law school, students can take courses in criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, trial advocacy and professional responsibility. Clinics and internships provide supervised experience with real cases or legal organizations.

4. Pass licensing requirements

Lawyers must meet the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they plan to practice. These commonly include graduating from an eligible law school, passing a bar examination and completing a character-and-fitness review.

5. Gain criminal-law experience

Opportunities include prosecutor and public defender internships, judicial clerkships, legal aid, private criminal firms and post-graduate fellowships. Early experience should build writing, client counseling and courtroom skills.

Skills criminal lawyers need

• Legal research: Finding and applying statutes, rules and precedent

• Writing: Preparing clear motions, briefs and correspondence

• Oral advocacy: Presenting persuasive arguments and questioning witnesses

• Judgment: Evaluating evidence, risk and ethical obligations

• Negotiation: Discussing pleas, conditions and case resolutions

• Organization: Managing deadlines and extensive case files

• Emotional resilience: Remaining effective in stressful and high-stakes situations

• Client communication: Explaining complex choices without promising outcomes

Ways to increase earning potential

Criminal lawyers may improve compensation by developing trial experience, building expertise in a specialized area, taking on leadership duties or moving to a market with stronger demand. Private practitioners may also increase revenue through efficient systems and a stable referral network.

Higher earnings should not come at the expense of competence or ethical responsibilities. Attorneys should accept only work they can handle, protect client confidentiality and follow the rules governing fees and advertising in their jurisdiction.

Salary information in this article is for career research and does not constitute legal, financial or employment advice.

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Frequently asked questions

Do criminal lawyers make good money?

They can, but earnings vary widely. Experienced private defense attorneys may earn substantially more than entry-level public lawyers, while government roles may offer valuable benefits and predictable salary progression.

Who earns more: prosecutors or defense attorneys?

There is no universal answer. Government prosecutors usually follow salary scales, while private defense earnings depend on employer, clients, fees and business expenses.

Is criminal law a stressful career?

It can be. Lawyers manage serious consequences, tight deadlines, heavy caseloads and emotionally difficult facts. Supportive supervision and sustainable work practices are important.

How long does it take to become a criminal lawyer?

In the United States, the path commonly includes four years of undergraduate study and three years of law school, followed by licensing. Individual timelines vary.

Do criminal lawyers need courtroom experience?

Courtroom ability is important, although not every case goes to trial. Negotiation, research, writing and client counseling are also central parts of the work.

Can a criminal lawyer work for both prosecution and defense?

Lawyers may change career paths over time, subject to conflict-of-interest and professional-responsibility rules. They cannot represent opposing interests in the same matter.