Civil Rights Law Lawyer Salary

Civil Rights Law lawyers earn $52,000 to $145,000+ annually in the United States

$88,000 Average Salary
$78,000 Median Salary
-50% vs National Avg
Low Demand

Civil Rights Law Salary Snapshot

  • ● Average: $88,000 (-50% vs national)
  • ● Entry → Senior: $52K → $145K
  • ● Top 10%: $185,000+
  • ● Top State: California ($176K)
  • ● Best Employer: BigLaw (500+ attorneys) ($295K)

Source: BLS, NALP, BCG Research • 2026

Civil rights attorneys litigate constitutional and civil liberties cases. Most work for non-profits, government, or on contingency. Lower pay but meaningful impact work.

Key Industries: Non-profit, Government

Civil Rights Law Salary by Experience Level

How compensation grows with years of practice

Experience Level Years Average Median Growth
Entry Level 0-2 $52,000 $46,800 —
Mid-Level 3-5 $68,950 $64,025 +33%
Senior 6-10 $145,000 $130,500 +110%
Partner 10+ $185,000 $157,250 +28%
💡
Career Growth Insight: Civil Rights Law attorneys can increase their salary by 256% from entry-level to partner track, going from $52,000 to $185,000+ over a typical 10-15 year trajectory.

Civil Rights 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 Civil Rights Law attorneys. However, government roles offer job security, pension benefits, and PSLF eligibility for student loan forgiveness.

Top Paying States for Civil Rights Law Lawyers

Based on real salary data from attorneys in this practice area

1
California 1 entries
$176,475
+101%
2
Nevada 1 entries
$145,600
+65%
3
Wisconsin 1 entries
$131,300
+49%
4
Arkansas 1 entries
$120,900
+37%
5
Washington 1 entries
$117,750
+34%
6
Maryland 1 entries
$116,000
+32%
7
Louisiana 1 entries
$100,000
+14%
8
Tennessee 1 entries
$72,100
-18%
9
Indiana 1 entries
$70,000
-20%
10
Nebraska 1 entries
$67,200
-24%

Civil Rights Law Lawyer Salary by State

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

1

New York

$98,861
Entry: $58K +12%
2

District of Columbia

$98,288
Entry: $58K +12%
3

California

$91,506
Entry: $54K +4%
4

Massachusetts

$83,278
Entry: $49K -5%
5

Connecticut

$79,039
Entry: $47K -10%
6

Texas

$77,294
Entry: $46K -12%
7

Illinois

$75,798
Entry: $45K -14%
8

New Jersey

$74,551
Entry: $44K -15%
9

Virginia

$73,803
Entry: $44K -16%
10

Washington

$73,554
Entry: $43K -16%
11

Colorado

$72,307
Entry: $43K -18%
12

Maryland

$71,808
Entry: $42K -18%
13

Georgia

$71,310
Entry: $42K -19%
14

Pennsylvania

$70,312
Entry: $42K -20%
15

Delaware

$69,814
Entry: $41K -21%
16

Florida

$69,066
Entry: $41K -22%
17

Nevada

$67,819
Entry: $40K -23%
18

Minnesota

$67,320
Entry: $40K -24%
19

Arizona

$65,824
Entry: $39K -25%
20

Oregon

$64,827
Entry: $38K -26%
21

North Carolina

$63,830
Entry: $38K -27%
22

Ohio

$62,334
Entry: $37K -29%
23

Michigan

$61,336
Entry: $36K -30%
24

Hawaii

$60,838
Entry: $36K -31%
25

Utah

$59,840
Entry: $35K -32%
26

Tennessee

$58,843
Entry: $35K -33%
27

Rhode Island

$58,843
Entry: $35K -33%
28

Alaska

$58,843
Entry: $35K -33%
29

Missouri

$57,347
Entry: $34K -35%
30

New Hampshire

$57,347
Entry: $34K -35%
31

Wisconsin

$56,848
Entry: $34K -35%
32

Indiana

$55,851
Entry: $33K -37%
33

Louisiana

$55,851
Entry: $33K -37%
34

South Carolina

$54,854
Entry: $32K -38%
35

Alabama

$53,856
Entry: $32K -39%
36

New Mexico

$53,856
Entry: $32K -39%
37

Kentucky

$52,859
Entry: $31K -40%
38

Iowa

$52,360
Entry: $31K -41%
39

Vermont

$52,360
Entry: $31K -41%
40

Nebraska

$51,862
Entry: $31K -41%
41

Kansas

$51,363
Entry: $30K -42%
42

Oklahoma

$50,864
Entry: $30K -42%
43

Maine

$50,864
Entry: $30K -42%
44

Idaho

$49,867
Entry: $29K -43%
45

Arkansas

$48,869
Entry: $29K -44%
46

North Dakota

$48,371
Entry: $29K -45%
47

Montana

$47,872
Entry: $28K -46%
48

Wyoming

$47,373
Entry: $28K -46%
49

West Virginia

$47,373
Entry: $28K -46%
50

South Dakota

$46,875
Entry: $28K -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.

Civil Rights Law Market Facts

Key information about this practice area

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

Law School ROI for Civil Rights Law

How long to pay off student loans in this practice area

🎓
$130,000 Avg Law School Debt
📅
9.8 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
Civil Rights Law Avg
9.8 years
Government
8.8 yrs (PSLF: 10 yrs)

Similar Practice Areas

Compare salaries in related legal specialties

Employment Law

$142,000
+61% vs Civil Rights Law
$88K - $230K

Criminal Law

$98,000
+11% vs Civil Rights Law
$52K - $155K

Government/Public Sector

$98,000
+11% vs Civil Rights Law
$65K - $148K

Frequently Asked Questions About Civil Rights Law Salaries

How much do Civil Rights Law lawyers make?

Civil Rights Law lawyers earn an average salary of $88,000 per year in the United States. Entry-level Civil Rights Law attorneys start at around $52,000, while experienced senior attorneys can earn $145,000 or more. The top 10% of earners make over $185,000 annually.

What is the starting salary for a Civil Rights Law lawyer?

Entry-level Civil Rights Law lawyers typically earn between $36,400 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 Civil Rights Law lawyers the most?

The highest-paying states for Civil Rights Law lawyers based on our salary data are California ($176,475 average), Nevada ($145,600), and Wisconsin ($131,300). Major legal markets like New York, California, and Washington D.C. typically offer the highest compensation.

Is Civil Rights Law law in demand?

Civil Rights Law law is currently in low demand with projected job growth of 4% over the next decade. Key industries driving demand include Non-profit, Government.

How much do Civil Rights Law partners make?

Civil Rights Law partners at major law firms can earn $185,000 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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