Corporate Counsel Salary Overview
The Corporate Counsel is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $162,800. Compensation typically ranges from $84,000 for entry-level positions to $286,000 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Corporate Counsel in the US earns between $84,000 and $286,000 per year, with a median of $162,800.
Corporate Counsel Salary by Experience
Entry-level corporate counsels earn around $105,820, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $219,780 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $99,308 | $48/hr | $72,876 |
| Mid | $162,800 | $78/hr | $110,749 |
| Senior | $203,500 | $98/hr | $136,449 |
| Lead | $229,548 | $110/hr | $151,831 |
Corporate Counsel Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Corporate Counsel in each US state.
Pay for corporate counsels varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,975 | $12,454 | $114,052 | 29.9% |
| Alaska | $162,800 | $28,319 | $0 | $12,454 | $122,027 | 25.0% |
| Arizona | $162,800 | $28,319 | $3,705 | $12,454 | $118,322 | 27.3% |
| Arkansas | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,937 | $12,454 | $115,090 | 29.3% |
| California | $162,800 | $28,319 | $11,278 | $12,454 | $110,749 | 32.0% |
| Colorado | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,503 | $12,454 | $115,524 | 29.0% |
| Connecticut | $162,800 | $28,319 | $8,518 | $12,454 | $113,509 | 30.3% |
| Delaware | $162,800 | $28,319 | $9,514 | $12,454 | $112,513 | 30.9% |
| District of Columbia | $162,800 | $28,319 | $10,997 | $12,454 | $111,030 | 31.8% |
| Florida | $162,800 | $28,319 | $0 | $12,454 | $122,027 | 25.0% |
| Georgia | $162,800 | $28,319 | $8,279 | $12,454 | $113,748 | 30.1% |
| Hawaii | $162,800 | $28,319 | $12,583 | $12,454 | $109,444 | 32.8% |
| Idaho | $162,800 | $28,319 | $8,596 | $12,454 | $113,431 | 30.3% |
| Illinois | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,921 | $12,454 | $114,106 | 29.9% |
| Indiana | $162,800 | $28,319 | $4,965 | $12,454 | $117,061 | 28.1% |
| Iowa | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,186 | $12,454 | $115,840 | 28.8% |
| Kansas | $162,800 | $28,319 | $8,623 | $12,454 | $113,404 | 30.3% |
| Kentucky | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,386 | $12,454 | $115,641 | 29.0% |
| Louisiana | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,338 | $12,454 | $115,689 | 28.9% |
| Maine | $162,800 | $28,319 | $10,102 | $12,454 | $111,924 | 31.3% |
| Maryland | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,824 | $12,454 | $114,203 | 29.9% |
| Massachusetts | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,920 | $12,454 | $114,107 | 29.9% |
| Michigan | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,681 | $12,454 | $115,346 | 29.1% |
| Minnesota | $162,800 | $28,319 | $10,083 | $12,454 | $111,944 | 31.2% |
| Mississippi | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,074 | $12,454 | $114,953 | 29.4% |
| Missouri | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,943 | $12,454 | $115,083 | 29.3% |
| Montana | $162,800 | $28,319 | $8,498 | $12,454 | $113,529 | 30.3% |
| Nebraska | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,987 | $12,454 | $114,040 | 30.0% |
| Nevada | $162,800 | $28,319 | $0 | $12,454 | $122,027 | 25.0% |
| New Hampshire | $162,800 | $28,319 | $0 | $12,454 | $122,027 | 25.0% |
| New Jersey | $162,800 | $28,319 | $8,244 | $12,454 | $113,783 | 30.1% |
| New Mexico | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,982 | $12,454 | $115,044 | 29.3% |
| New York | $162,800 | $28,319 | $9,139 | $12,454 | $112,888 | 30.7% |
| North Carolina | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,752 | $12,454 | $115,275 | 29.2% |
| North Dakota | $162,800 | $28,319 | $2,890 | $12,454 | $119,137 | 26.8% |
| Ohio | $162,800 | $28,319 | $4,228 | $12,454 | $117,799 | 27.6% |
| Oklahoma | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,243 | $12,454 | $114,784 | 29.5% |
| Oregon | $162,800 | $28,319 | $14,123 | $12,454 | $107,904 | 33.7% |
| Pennsylvania | $162,800 | $28,319 | $4,998 | $12,454 | $117,029 | 28.1% |
| Rhode Island | $162,800 | $28,319 | $6,497 | $12,454 | $115,529 | 29.0% |
| South Carolina | $162,800 | $28,319 | $8,792 | $12,454 | $113,235 | 30.4% |
| South Dakota | $162,800 | $28,319 | $0 | $12,454 | $122,027 | 25.0% |
| Tennessee | $162,800 | $28,319 | $0 | $12,454 | $122,027 | 25.0% |
| Texas | $162,800 | $28,319 | $0 | $12,454 | $122,027 | 25.0% |
| Utah | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,570 | $12,454 | $114,457 | 29.7% |
| Vermont | $162,800 | $28,319 | $9,261 | $12,454 | $112,766 | 30.7% |
| Virginia | $162,800 | $28,319 | $8,845 | $12,454 | $113,182 | 30.5% |
| Washington | $162,800 | $28,319 | $0 | $12,454 | $122,027 | 25.0% |
| West Virginia | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,447 | $12,454 | $114,580 | 29.6% |
| Wisconsin | $162,800 | $28,319 | $7,541 | $12,454 | $114,486 | 29.7% |
| Wyoming | $162,800 | $28,319 | $0 | $12,454 | $122,027 | 25.0% |
Top Cities for Corporate Counsel Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for corporate counsels tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $179,080 |
| San Francisco, CA | $179,080 |
| Hartford, CT | $179,080 |
| Chicago, IL | $179,080 |
| Boston, MA | $179,080 |
Calculate Corporate Counsel Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Corporate Counsel
Becoming a corporate counsel typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Corporate Counsel Career Outlook
Employment of corporate counsels is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Corporate Counsel Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for corporate counsels in the US is $162,800, with a typical range from $84,000 to $286,000 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for corporate counsels include NY, CA, CT. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level corporate counsels can expect to earn around $105,820 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a corporate counsel can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for corporate counsels is approximately $78.27, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.