Law firm partner pay differs across the U.S. legal market. A BCG Attorney Search report details these pay trends.
The report looks at firm size, region, practice area, and partner status. It gives lawyers and recruiters useful pay data.
Learn more from this report: Law Firm Partner Compensation Report (2026): Salary Trends by Firm Size, Region, and Practice Area
Large Firms Report Higher Partner Pay
Firm size can have a major effect on partner pay.
Large firms with more than 600 lawyers report median equity partner pay of $1.3 million. Midsize firms report $633,000. Small firms report $387,000.
Non-equity partner pay also differs. Large firms report a $400,000 median. Midsize firms report $275,000. Small firms report $205,000.
As a result, firm size can lead to a wide pay gap.
Location Also Shapes Partner Pay
Where a lawyer works can affect partner pay.
For midsize firms, the report lists median equity partner pay at $750,000 in the Northeast. The West Coast reports $700,000.
The Southeast reports $600,000. The Midwest reports $550,000.
Client demand can affect these figures. Billing rates and local costs can also play a role.
Practice Area Can Change Earnings
A lawyer’s practice area can also affect pay.
Corporate and M&A practices rank among the higher-paid areas in the report. Intellectual property, real estate, and litigation also show high pay levels.
However, average pay does not tell the full story. Clients, experience, and new business can affect what a partner earns.
Therefore, lawyers should use these figures as general market data.
Business Development Is Important
The report also highlights business development.
Partners at smaller firms may have books of business worth $500,000 to $1 million. At large firms, that figure can reach $3 million to $7 million.
Therefore, finding and keeping clients can affect partner pay. Origination credit can also affect total earnings.
Key Points for Legal Professionals
The report offers several useful takeaways.
Firm size can affect pay. Location can also create large differences between legal markets.
Practice area matters as well. In addition, equity and non-equity partners can have very different pay models.
For associates, this data can support career planning. Meanwhile, recruiters can use it when discussing partner hiring and lateral moves.
Conclusion
The BCG Attorney Search report offers a look at law firm partner compensation across the U.S.
The data shows clear pay differences. Firm size, location, practice area, and partner status all matter.
Business development can also affect earnings. However, individual pay can vary from these market figures.
For lawyers planning their careers, the report offers useful market data. It can help them understand partner pay before making a career move.
Learn more from this report: Law Firm Partner Compensation Report (2026): Salary Trends by Firm Size, Region, and Practice Area
See Also:
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