International Trade Law Lawyer Salary

International Trade Law lawyers earn $105,000 to $270,000+ annually in the United States

$168,000 Average Salary
$152,000 Median Salary
-5% vs National Avg
Medium Demand

International Trade Law Salary Snapshot

  • ● Average: $168,000 (-5% vs national)
  • ● Entry → Senior: $105K → $270K
  • ● Top 10%: $325,000+
  • ● Top State: New York ($168K)
  • ● Best Employer: BigLaw (500+ attorneys) ($295K)

Source: BLS, NALP, BCG Research • 2026

International trade attorneys handle import/export regulations, tariffs, customs compliance, trade remedy proceedings, and sanctions. Practice is concentrated in Washington DC and major ports.

Key Industries: Trade, Manufacturing, Government

Requirements: Foreign language helpful

International Trade Law Salary by Experience Level

How compensation grows with years of practice

Experience Level Years Average Median Growth
Entry Level 0-2 $105,000 $94,500 —
Mid-Level 3-5 $131,250 $121,875 +25%
Senior 6-10 $270,000 $243,000 +106%
Partner 10+ $325,000 $276,250 +20%
💡
Career Growth Insight: International Trade Law attorneys can increase their salary by 210% from entry-level to partner track, going from $105,000 to $325,000+ over a typical 10-15 year trajectory.

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

International Trade Law Lawyer Salary by State

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

1

New York

$188,735
Entry: $118K +12%
2

District of Columbia

$187,640
Entry: $117K +12%
3

California

$174,693
Entry: $109K +4%
4

Massachusetts

$158,985
Entry: $99K -5%
5

Connecticut

$150,893
Entry: $94K -10%
6

Texas

$147,560
Entry: $92K -12%
7

Illinois

$144,704
Entry: $90K -14%
8

New Jersey

$142,324
Entry: $89K -15%
9

Virginia

$140,896
Entry: $88K -16%
10

Washington

$140,420
Entry: $88K -16%
11

Colorado

$138,040
Entry: $86K -18%
12

Maryland

$137,088
Entry: $86K -18%
13

Georgia

$136,136
Entry: $85K -19%
14

Pennsylvania

$134,232
Entry: $84K -20%
15

Delaware

$133,280
Entry: $83K -21%
16

Florida

$131,852
Entry: $82K -22%
17

Nevada

$129,472
Entry: $81K -23%
18

Minnesota

$128,520
Entry: $80K -24%
19

Arizona

$125,664
Entry: $79K -25%
20

Oregon

$123,760
Entry: $77K -26%
21

North Carolina

$121,856
Entry: $76K -27%
22

Ohio

$119,000
Entry: $74K -29%
23

Michigan

$117,096
Entry: $73K -30%
24

Hawaii

$116,144
Entry: $73K -31%
25

Utah

$114,240
Entry: $71K -32%
26

Tennessee

$112,336
Entry: $70K -33%
27

Rhode Island

$112,336
Entry: $70K -33%
28

Alaska

$112,336
Entry: $70K -33%
29

Missouri

$109,480
Entry: $68K -35%
30

New Hampshire

$109,480
Entry: $68K -35%
31

Wisconsin

$108,528
Entry: $68K -35%
32

Indiana

$106,624
Entry: $67K -37%
33

Louisiana

$106,624
Entry: $67K -37%
34

South Carolina

$104,720
Entry: $65K -38%
35

Alabama

$102,816
Entry: $64K -39%
36

New Mexico

$102,816
Entry: $64K -39%
37

Kentucky

$100,912
Entry: $63K -40%
38

Iowa

$99,960
Entry: $62K -41%
39

Vermont

$99,960
Entry: $62K -41%
40

Nebraska

$99,008
Entry: $62K -41%
41

Kansas

$98,056
Entry: $61K -42%
42

Oklahoma

$97,104
Entry: $61K -42%
43

Maine

$97,104
Entry: $61K -42%
44

Idaho

$95,200
Entry: $60K -43%
45

Arkansas

$93,296
Entry: $58K -44%
46

North Dakota

$92,344
Entry: $58K -45%
47

Montana

$91,392
Entry: $57K -46%
48

Wyoming

$90,440
Entry: $57K -46%
49

West Virginia

$90,440
Entry: $57K -46%
50

South Dakota

$89,488
Entry: $56K -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.

International Trade Law Market Facts

Key information about this practice area

📈
Medium
Demand Level
📈
+6%
Job Growth (10yr)
🏢
Trade
Top Industry
⚖
Moderate
Work-Life Balance

Law School ROI for International Trade Law

How long to pay off student loans in this practice area

🎓
$130,000 Avg Law School Debt
📅
5.2 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
International Trade Law Avg
5.2 years
Government
8.8 yrs (PSLF: 10 yrs)

Similar Practice Areas

Compare salaries in related legal specialties

International Law

$172,000
+2% vs International Trade Law
$105K - $275K

Corporate Law

$207,306
+23% vs International Trade Law
$135K - $350K

Government Contracts

$165,000
-2% vs International Trade Law
$100K - $265K

Frequently Asked Questions About International Trade Law Salaries

How much do International Trade Law lawyers make?

International Trade Law lawyers earn an average salary of $168,000 per year in the United States. Entry-level International Trade Law attorneys start at around $105,000, while experienced senior attorneys can earn $270,000 or more. The top 10% of earners make over $325,000 annually.

What is the starting salary for a International Trade Law lawyer?

Entry-level International Trade Law lawyers typically earn between $73,500 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 International Trade Law lawyers the most?

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

Is International Trade Law law in demand?

International Trade Law law is currently in medium demand with projected job growth of 6% over the next decade. Key industries driving demand include Trade, Manufacturing, Government. Note: This practice area requires Foreign language helpful.

How much do International Trade Law partners make?

International Trade Law partners at major law firms can earn $325,000 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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