Median Salary After Nine Months

• The salary for a lawyer can vary greatly depending on the employer. More established lawyers make more than newly graduated lawyers. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics took a look at the median salary for lawyers just nine months after graduation. This snapshot illustrates the pay difference by employer. The median salary for all graduates is $68,500. For lawyers in a private practice, the median salary is $108,500. Lawyers employed by another type of business have a median salary of $69,100.
  
  

National Average Salary

• The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled salary data from all types of lawyers and came up with a national average salary of $129,440. The entertainment industry is one of the top paying industries for lawyers, with an average salary above that of all lawyers. In fact, the average salary for an entertainment lawyer is $178,340, or $85.74 per hour if billed hourly.
  
  

Independent Entertainment Lawyers

• As a entertainment lawyer, you do not have to accept a position with an established firm. In fact, you can work independently or start your own independent law firm. If you choose this route, it can take you a bit longer to begin making money since you will need to build a client list. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that some independent lawyers must work part time in another industry to supplement their income until clients are gained or the law practice is more established. As an independent entertainment lawyer, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that your salary will be less than your counterparts because your practice is not established. No set amount is given for this salary estimate because it really depends on how quickly you gain clients.
  
  

Other Components Of Compensation

• Entertainment lawyers usually also receive other benefits in addition to a yearly salary. Common benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, a company retirement plan or pension and profit sharing. It is also not uncommon for a entertainment lawyer to receive a yearly bonus, which is usually based on the performance of the firm. Independent lawyers may not receive all of these extra benefits if they have started their own firm.