Aviation Law Lawyer Salary

Aviation Law lawyers earn $95,000 to $245,000+ annually in the United States

$155,000 Average Salary
$140,000 Median Salary
-12% vs National Avg
Low Demand

Aviation Law Salary Snapshot

  • ● Average: $155,000 (-12% vs national)
  • ● Entry → Senior: $95K → $245K
  • ● Top 10%: $310,000+
  • ● Top State: New York ($155K)
  • ● Best Employer: BigLaw (500+ attorneys) ($295K)

Source: BLS, NALP, BCG Research • 2026

Aviation attorneys handle aircraft transactions, FAA regulatory compliance, aviation accidents, and airline operations. Niche practice concentrated near major aviation hubs and manufacturers.

Key Industries: Aviation, Transportation, Insurance

Aviation Law Salary by Experience Level

How compensation grows with years of practice

Experience Level Years Average Median Growth
Entry Level 0-2 $95,000 $85,500 —
Mid-Level 3-5 $119,000 $110,500 +25%
Senior 6-10 $245,000 $220,500 +106%
Partner 10+ $310,000 $263,500 +27%
💡
Career Growth Insight: Aviation Law attorneys can increase their salary by 226% from entry-level to partner track, going from $95,000 to $310,000+ over a typical 10-15 year trajectory.

Aviation Law Salary by Employer Type

How compensation varies by firm size and sector

BigLaw (500+ attorneys) $295,000
$225K - $435K
Midsize (50-500 attorneys) $185,000
$155K - $275K
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys) $110,000
$75K - $165K
Solo Practice $85,000
$50K - $150K
In-House Counsel $195,000
$115K - $319K
Government $98,000
$65K - $148K
Public Interest $72,000
$55K - $95K
💡
Employer Insight: BigLaw firms pay 201% more than government positions for Aviation Law attorneys. However, government roles offer job security, pension benefits, and PSLF eligibility for student loan forgiveness.

Aviation Law Lawyer Salary by State

Estimated salaries across all 50 states based on cost of living and market data

1

New York

$174,130
Entry: $107K +12%
2

District of Columbia

$173,120
Entry: $106K +12%
3

California

$161,175
Entry: $99K +4%
4

Massachusetts

$146,682
Entry: $90K -5%
5

Connecticut

$139,216
Entry: $85K -10%
6

Texas

$136,142
Entry: $83K -12%
7

Illinois

$133,507
Entry: $82K -14%
8

New Jersey

$131,311
Entry: $80K -15%
9

Virginia

$129,994
Entry: $80K -16%
10

Washington

$129,555
Entry: $79K -16%
11

Colorado

$127,359
Entry: $78K -18%
12

Maryland

$126,480
Entry: $78K -18%
13

Georgia

$125,602
Entry: $77K -19%
14

Pennsylvania

$123,845
Entry: $76K -20%
15

Delaware

$122,967
Entry: $75K -21%
16

Florida

$121,650
Entry: $75K -22%
17

Nevada

$119,454
Entry: $73K -23%
18

Minnesota

$118,575
Entry: $73K -24%
19

Arizona

$115,940
Entry: $71K -25%
20

Oregon

$114,184
Entry: $70K -26%
21

North Carolina

$112,427
Entry: $69K -27%
22

Ohio

$109,792
Entry: $67K -29%
23

Michigan

$108,035
Entry: $66K -30%
24

Hawaii

$107,157
Entry: $66K -31%
25

Utah

$105,400
Entry: $65K -32%
26

Tennessee

$103,644
Entry: $64K -33%
27

Rhode Island

$103,644
Entry: $64K -33%
28

Alaska

$103,644
Entry: $64K -33%
29

Missouri

$101,009
Entry: $62K -35%
30

New Hampshire

$101,009
Entry: $62K -35%
31

Wisconsin

$100,130
Entry: $61K -35%
32

Indiana

$98,374
Entry: $60K -37%
33

Louisiana

$98,374
Entry: $60K -37%
34

South Carolina

$96,617
Entry: $59K -38%
35

Alabama

$94,860
Entry: $58K -39%
36

New Mexico

$94,860
Entry: $58K -39%
37

Kentucky

$93,104
Entry: $57K -40%
38

Iowa

$92,225
Entry: $57K -41%
39

Vermont

$92,225
Entry: $57K -41%
40

Nebraska

$91,347
Entry: $56K -41%
41

Kansas

$90,469
Entry: $55K -42%
42

Oklahoma

$89,590
Entry: $55K -42%
43

Maine

$89,590
Entry: $55K -42%
44

Idaho

$87,834
Entry: $54K -43%
45

Arkansas

$86,077
Entry: $53K -44%
46

North Dakota

$85,199
Entry: $52K -45%
47

Montana

$84,320
Entry: $52K -46%
48

Wyoming

$83,442
Entry: $51K -46%
49

West Virginia

$83,442
Entry: $51K -46%
50

South Dakota

$82,564
Entry: $51K -47%
High Paying Average Below Average

Estimates based on BLS state wage data and cost of living adjustments. Actual salaries may vary by firm, experience, and specialization.

Aviation Law Market Facts

Key information about this practice area

📉
Low
Demand Level
📈
+4%
Job Growth (10yr)
🏢
Aviation
Top Industry
⚖
Moderate
Work-Life Balance

Law School ROI for Aviation Law

How long to pay off student loans in this practice area

🎓
$130,000 Avg Law School Debt
📅
5.6 years Payoff at Practice Avg
💰
$1,480/mo Standard Payment

Payoff Timeline by Employer Type

Assuming 15% of gross income allocated to loan repayment

BigLaw
2.9 years
Aviation Law Avg
5.6 years
Government
8.8 yrs (PSLF: 10 yrs)

Similar Practice Areas

Compare salaries in related legal specialties

Litigation

$147,734
-5% vs Aviation Law
$95K - $250K

Corporate Law

$207,306
+34% vs Aviation Law
$135K - $350K

Insurance Law

$128,000
-17% vs Aviation Law
$78K - $205K

Frequently Asked Questions About Aviation Law Salaries

How much do Aviation Law lawyers make?

Aviation Law lawyers earn an average salary of $155,000 per year in the United States. Entry-level Aviation Law attorneys start at around $95,000, while experienced senior attorneys can earn $245,000 or more. The top 10% of earners make over $310,000 annually.

What is the starting salary for a Aviation Law lawyer?

Entry-level Aviation Law lawyers typically earn between $66,500 and $225,000 depending on employer type. BigLaw firms pay around $225,000 for first-year associates, while smaller firms and government positions start lower at $65,000 to $75,000.

Which states pay Aviation Law lawyers the most?

Major legal markets like New York, California, and Washington D.C. typically pay Aviation Law lawyers the highest salaries.

Is Aviation Law law in demand?

Aviation Law law is currently in low demand with projected job growth of 4% over the next decade. Key industries driving demand include Aviation, Transportation, Insurance.

How much do Aviation Law partners make?

Aviation Law partners at major law firms can earn $310,000 or more annually. Equity partners at top BigLaw firms may earn $1 million to $5 million or more, while partners at smaller firms typically earn $300,000 to $600,000. Partner compensation varies significantly based on firm size, location, and origination credit.

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