Securities Law Lawyer Salary

Securities Law lawyers earn $140,000 to $360,000+ annually in the United States

$215,000 Average Salary
$195,000 Median Salary
+22% vs National Avg
High Demand

Securities Law Salary Snapshot

  • ● Average: $215,000 (+22% vs national)
  • ● Entry → Senior: $140K → $360K
  • ● Top 10%: $425,000+
  • ● Top State: California ($259K)
  • ● Best Employer: BigLaw (500+ attorneys) ($295K)

Source: BLS, NALP, BCG Research • 2026

Securities lawyers handle SEC compliance, capital markets transactions, IPOs, and securities litigation. The practice is concentrated in financial centers like New York and offers among the highest compensation.

Key Industries: Finance, Investment Banking, Private Equity

Securities Law Salary by Experience Level

How compensation grows with years of practice

Experience Level Years Average Median Growth
Entry Level 0-2 $140,000 $126,000 —
Mid-Level 3-5 $175,000 $162,500 +25%
Senior 6-10 $360,000 $324,000 +106%
Partner 10+ $425,000 $361,250 +18%
💡
Career Growth Insight: Securities Law attorneys can increase their salary by 204% from entry-level to partner track, going from $140,000 to $425,000+ over a typical 10-15 year trajectory.

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

Top Paying States for Securities Law Lawyers

Based on real salary data from attorneys in this practice area

1
California 1 entries
$259,025
+20%
2
Michigan 1 entries
$219,700
+2%
3
Rhode Island 1 entries
$216,450
+1%
4
Tennessee 1 entries
$216,450
+1%
5
Vermont 1 entries
$208,000
-3%
6
Alaska 2 entries
$191,475
-11%
7
Minnesota 1 entries
$175,000
-19%
8
Wisconsin 1 entries
$164,500
-23%
9
Arizona 1 entries
$121,450
-44%

Securities Law Lawyer Salary by State

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

1

New York

$241,535
Entry: $157K +12%
2

District of Columbia

$240,134
Entry: $156K +12%
3

California

$223,565
Entry: $146K +4%
4

Massachusetts

$203,462
Entry: $132K -5%
5

Connecticut

$193,106
Entry: $126K -10%
6

Texas

$188,842
Entry: $123K -12%
7

Illinois

$185,187
Entry: $121K -14%
8

New Jersey

$182,141
Entry: $119K -15%
9

Virginia

$180,314
Entry: $117K -16%
10

Washington

$179,705
Entry: $117K -16%
11

Colorado

$176,659
Entry: $115K -18%
12

Maryland

$175,441
Entry: $114K -18%
13

Georgia

$174,222
Entry: $113K -19%
14

Pennsylvania

$171,786
Entry: $112K -20%
15

Delaware

$170,567
Entry: $111K -21%
16

Florida

$168,740
Entry: $110K -22%
17

Nevada

$165,694
Entry: $108K -23%
18

Minnesota

$164,476
Entry: $107K -23%
19

Arizona

$160,821
Entry: $105K -25%
20

Oregon

$158,384
Entry: $103K -26%
21

North Carolina

$155,947
Entry: $102K -27%
22

Ohio

$152,292
Entry: $99K -29%
23

Michigan

$149,855
Entry: $98K -30%
24

Hawaii

$148,637
Entry: $97K -31%
25

Utah

$146,200
Entry: $95K -32%
26

Tennessee

$143,764
Entry: $94K -33%
27

Rhode Island

$143,764
Entry: $94K -33%
28

Alaska

$143,764
Entry: $94K -33%
29

Missouri

$140,109
Entry: $91K -35%
30

New Hampshire

$140,109
Entry: $91K -35%
31

Wisconsin

$138,890
Entry: $90K -35%
32

Indiana

$136,454
Entry: $89K -37%
33

Louisiana

$136,454
Entry: $89K -37%
34

South Carolina

$134,017
Entry: $87K -38%
35

Alabama

$131,580
Entry: $86K -39%
36

New Mexico

$131,580
Entry: $86K -39%
37

Kentucky

$129,144
Entry: $84K -40%
38

Iowa

$127,925
Entry: $83K -41%
39

Vermont

$127,925
Entry: $83K -41%
40

Nebraska

$126,707
Entry: $83K -41%
41

Kansas

$125,489
Entry: $82K -42%
42

Oklahoma

$124,270
Entry: $81K -42%
43

Maine

$124,270
Entry: $81K -42%
44

Idaho

$121,834
Entry: $79K -43%
45

Arkansas

$119,397
Entry: $78K -44%
46

North Dakota

$118,179
Entry: $77K -45%
47

Montana

$116,960
Entry: $76K -46%
48

Wyoming

$115,742
Entry: $75K -46%
49

West Virginia

$115,742
Entry: $75K -46%
50

South Dakota

$114,524
Entry: $75K -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.

Securities Law Market Facts

Key information about this practice area

🔥
High
Demand Level
📈
+7%
Job Growth (10yr)
🏢
Finance
Top Industry
🔥
Demanding
Work-Life Balance

Law School ROI for Securities Law

How long to pay off student loans in this practice area

🎓
$130,000 Avg Law School Debt
📅
4 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
Securities Law Avg
4 years
Government
8.8 yrs (PSLF: 10 yrs)

Similar Practice Areas

Compare salaries in related legal specialties

Corporate Law

$207,306
-4% vs Securities Law
$135K - $350K

Mergers & Acquisitions

$232,000
+8% vs Securities Law
$150K - $400K

Banking & Finance

$198,000
-8% vs Securities Law
$130K - $335K

Frequently Asked Questions About Securities Law Salaries

How much do Securities Law lawyers make?

Securities Law lawyers earn an average salary of $215,000 per year in the United States. Entry-level Securities Law attorneys start at around $140,000, while experienced senior attorneys can earn $360,000 or more. The top 10% of earners make over $425,000 annually.

What is the starting salary for a Securities Law lawyer?

Entry-level Securities Law lawyers typically earn between $98,000 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 Securities Law lawyers the most?

The highest-paying states for Securities Law lawyers based on our salary data are California ($259,025 average), Michigan ($219,700), and Rhode Island ($216,450). Major legal markets like New York, California, and Washington D.C. typically offer the highest compensation.

Is Securities Law law in demand?

Securities Law law is currently in high demand with projected job growth of 7% over the next decade. Key industries driving demand include Finance, Investment Banking, Private Equity.

How much do Securities Law partners make?

Securities Law partners at major law firms can earn $425,000 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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