When we talk about a profession, one of the questions that may come to our mind is about the salary. Of course, everyone wants to get a high salary. If you want to be a criminal defense lawyer, you may wonder about the salary that you will earn per month. If you want to know about that, you are able to read below according to some online sources.
The Salary of Criminal Defense Lawyer Per Month
According to the ZipRecruiter site, as of September 26th, 2022, the average annual pay for a Criminal Defense Lawyer in the United States is $97,000 a year. It means that the average salary of a criminal defense lawyer is $46.63 per hour where it is the same as $1,865 per week or $8,083 per month.
On that site, it is also explained that the salary of this profession is as high as $200,000 and as low as $46,000 and the majority of Criminal Defense Lawyer salaries now range between $74,000 to $110,000 and the top earners make $200,000 annually across the United States. It is important for you to note that the average salary range for a Criminal Defense lawyer varies because of a number of factors such as location, skill level and years of experience.
The Top Highest Paying Cities for Criminal Defense Lawyer Jobs
You may wonder which cities are the highest paying for criminal defense lawyer jobs. If so, you are able to check the information about the top highest paying cities for criminal defense lawyer jobs below according to the ZipRecruiter site.
-
- City: Atkinson, NE
Annual Salary: $124,282
Monthly Pay: $10,356
Weekly Pay: $2,390
Hourly Wage: $59.75 - City: Frankston, TX
Annual Salary: $119,274
Monthly Pay: $9,939
Weekly Pay: $2,293
Hourly Wage: $57.34 - City: Barnstable Town, MA
Annual Salary: $115,871
Monthly Pay: $9,655
Weekly Pay: $2,228
Hourly Wage: $55.71 - City: Inverness, CA
Annual Salary: $114,844
Monthly Pay: $9,570
Weekly Pay: $2,208
Hourly Wage: $55.21 - City: Dimondale, MI
Annual Salary: $111,786
Monthly Pay: $9,315
Weekly Pay: $2,149
Hourly Wage: $53.74 - City: Manhattan, NY
Annual Salary: $110,907
Monthly Pay: $9,242
Weekly Pay: $2,132
Hourly Wage: $53.32 - City: Hooper Bay, AK
Annual Salary: $110,070
Monthly Pay: $9,172
Weekly Pay: $2,116
Hourly Wage: $52.92 - City: Skyline-Ganipa, NM
Annual Salary: $108,031
Monthly Pay: $9,002
Weekly Pay: $2,077
Hourly Wage: $51.94 - City: Cambridge, MA
Annual Salary: $107,793
Monthly Pay: $8,982
Weekly Pay: $2,072
Hourly Wage: $51.82 - City: Potomac Heights, MD
Annual Salary: $107,602
Monthly Pay: $8,966
Weekly Pay: $2,069
Hourly Wage: $51.73
- City: Atkinson, NE
Top 5 Best Paying Jobs Related to Criminal Defense Lawyer in the United States
According to the ZipRecruiter site, here are the top 5 best paying jobs related to criminal defense lawyer in the United States.
-
- Job Title: Attorney Partner
Annual Salary: $205,571
Monthly Pay: $17,130
Weekly Pay: $3,953
Hourly Wage: $98.83 - Job Title: Senior Lawyer
Annual Salary: $148,928
Monthly Pay: $12,410
Weekly Pay: $2,864
Hourly Wage: $71.60 - Job Title: Health Care Attorney
Annual Salary: $142,954
Monthly Pay: $11,912
Weekly Pay: $2,749
Hourly Wage: $68.73 - Job Title: Business Attorney
Annual Salary: $130,227
Monthly Pay: $10,852
Weekly Pay: $2,504
Hourly Pay: $62.61 - Job Title: Contracts Lawyer
Annual Salary: $129,696
Monthly Pay: $10,808
Weekly Pay: $2,494
Hourly Wage: $62.35
- Job Title: Attorney Partner
How Do We Become A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Are you interested in being a criminal defense lawyer? You may be interested after you see the salary offered as explained above. If you want to be a criminal defense lawyer, it means that you have to get a suitable education and here are the steps that you have to take if you want to be a criminal defense lawyer according to the Indeed site.
-
- First, you have to get a bachelor’s degree.
To be able to enter law school, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. The major does not matter, but if you choose a degree in criminal justice, it will be useful because in the courses, you will learn the foundation background in criminal justice. Introduction to Criminology, Law Enforcement Administration, Correctional Administration, Criminal Administration are the courses that may be included. - You have to pass the law school admissions test.
After you obtain your bachelor’s degree, then you have to attend the law school admission test where it is a standardized test that evaluates verbal, reading, and reasoning skills. - You must prepare for law school.
If you have earned your bachelor’s degree and passed your LSAT examination, then you have to start applying to law schools. Before you start the process, there are several things that you have to do as you can read below.- You have to register with a Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
- You have to collect letters of recommendation.
- You have to write a personal statement.
- You have to earn a law degree.
If you take law school, it comprises 90 credit hours over a period of three years. In the first year, you will learn the courses that will help you to get experience in different legal settings. Some of the courses are Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. - You have to pass the MPRE.
MPRE stands for Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination and it is a requirement which is required by all of the states and jurisdictions in America, except Wisconsin, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. - You have to get your law license.
A bar exam is administered by every state, but the procedures and requirements may vary from state to state. Before you apply for admittance to a state bar, it is better for you to check the requirements for the state that you want to practice in. You will have to take the written exam and the exam consists of a multiple-choice test and an essay portion where it is spread out over two days. - You have to get work experience.
If you have previous work experiences such as volunteering for social service agencies or working in the courtroom, you will be able to have a chance to get a competitive position. If you are confused about how you can get work experience, you are able to get work experience by searching for internships or taking part in a law school clinic.
- First, you have to get a bachelor’s degree.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
