Lawyer Salaries in Utah

$120,000 Average Salary
32% Below National Average
$107K Median
$168K Top 10%
$69K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
Utah Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $120,000 (-32% below national)
  • Career Range: $69,095 (Entry) → $238,000 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($169K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($201K), In-House ($133K)
  • vs Nearby: Higher than Idaho ; Below Colorado, Nevada

Utah's tech boom ("Silicon Slopes") has expanded the legal market significantly. Salt Lake City attracts tech companies and outdoor enthusiasts. Strong growth trajectory but rising costs.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in Utah

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$69,095
Median: $58K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$98,600
Median: $87K
6-10 years
Senior
$132,600
Median: $117K
10+ years
Partner
$238,000
Median: $194K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in Utah can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $69,095, experienced partners earn $238,000 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in Utah

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$200,600
Entry: $153K Senior: $296K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$125,800
Entry: $105K Senior: $187K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$74,800
Entry: $51K Senior: $112K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$57,800
Entry: $34K Senior: $102K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$132,600
Entry: $78K Senior: $217K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$66,640
Entry: $44K Senior: $101K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$48,960
Entry: $37K Senior: $65K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In Utah, BigLaw pays $133,960 more than government roles ($200,600 vs $66,640). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in Utah

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $169K Entry: $99K | Senior: $258K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $158K Entry: $102K | Senior: $272K ⚖ Antitrust Law $153K Entry: $99K | Senior: $258K 📈 Securities Law $146K Entry: $95K | Senior: $245K 🏛 Corporate Law $141K Entry: $92K | Senior: $238K © Intellectual Property $136K Entry: $85K | Senior: $218K 🏦 Banking & Finance $135K Entry: $88K | Senior: $228K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $126K Entry: $78K | Senior: $201K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $126K Entry: $78K | Senior: $201K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $121K Entry: $75K | Senior: $194K 📊 Tax Law $119K Entry: $75K | Senior: $190K ⚖ Energy Law $119K Entry: $75K | Senior: $190K 🌐 International Law $117K Entry: $71K | Senior: $187K 🎬 Entertainment Law $114K Entry: $58K | Senior: $187K ⚖ International Trade Law $114K Entry: $71K | Senior: $184K 🏥 Healthcare Law $112K Entry: $68K | Senior: $180K ⚖ Government Contracts $112K Entry: $68K | Senior: $180K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $105K Entry: $65K | Senior: $170K ⚖ Aviation Law $105K Entry: $65K | Senior: $167K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $101K Entry: $51K | Senior: $163K ⚖ Maritime Law $101K Entry: $60K | Senior: $160K 🔨 Litigation $100K Entry: $65K | Senior: $170K 👔 Employment Law $97K Entry: $60K | Senior: $156K ⚖ Sports Law $97K Entry: $51K | Senior: $160K 🏠 Real Estate $94K Entry: $58K | Senior: $150K 🏗 Construction Law $94K Entry: $56K | Senior: $150K 🌿 Environmental Law $92K Entry: $56K | Senior: $146K 🛒 Insurance Law $87K Entry: $53K | Senior: $139K 🩹 Personal Injury $85K Entry: $44K | Senior: $136K 📜 Estate Planning $73K Entry: $42K | Senior: $119K ⚖ Education Law $71K Entry: $42K | Senior: $112K 👪 Family Law $71K Entry: $39K | Senior: $112K 🚓 Criminal Law $67K Entry: $35K | Senior: $105K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $67K Entry: $44K | Senior: $101K 🧰 Workers Compensation $67K Entry: $39K | Senior: $105K ⚖ Criminal Defense $67K Entry: $35K | Senior: $105K 👴 Elder Law $63K Entry: $37K | Senior: $99K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $60K Entry: $35K | Senior: $99K 🌍 Immigration Law $59K Entry: $37K | Senior: $95K
Practice Area Comparison

In Utah, Patent Law lawyers earn $110,290 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($168,814 vs $58,524). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

Utah Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 11,000+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 2 ABA Law Schools
📍 Salt Lake City Largest Legal Market
📈 103% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in Utah

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 7.2 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $201K
4.3 yrs
In-House $133K
6.5 yrs
Government $67K
13 yrs PSLF eligible
At Utah's average salary of $120,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 7.2 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How Utah compares to neighboring states

Utah Current
$120K
Colorado
$145K +21%
Nevada
$136K +13%
Arizona
$132K +10%
Idaho
$100K -17%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

Utah has a cost of living 3% above the national average. While lawyer salaries are 32% below national, the higher expenses may offset some gains. Median home price: $520,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in Utah is $120,000, which is 32% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $69,095 for entry-level positions to $238,000 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in Utah, with an average salary of $168,814. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $98,600, while senior attorneys can earn $258,400 or more.

First-year lawyers in Utah earn an average of $69,095. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $153,000+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $44,200 to $51,000.

Major BigLaw firms in Utah typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in Utah is approximately $200,600, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

Utah ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $120,000 is 32% lower than compared to Colorado ($145K), Nevada ($136K), Arizona ($132K).

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