NALP, Despite Expectations, $225,000 Entry Associate Salaries Lag at Large Law Firms:
The 2025 U.S. Associate Salary Survey report, released today by NALP, reveals that the median first-year associate base salary hit $200,000 as of January 1, 2025—rising to $215,000 in the largest firms with over 700 lawyers. Notably, participation in the survey from firms with more than 250 lawyers accounted for 87% of the 437 respondents, up from 81% in 2023.
“Without the stiff competition of the talent wars to push it along, the market is not moving as quickly to follow the few big firms who have announced first-year pay increases as we saw in the last cycle,” said NALP Executive Director Nikia Gray. “Most notably, while some firms are now offering an eye-popping $225,000 entry-level salary, the overall median first-year salary and the median first-year salary at the largest firms remained flat compared to the figures NALP reported in 2023, indicating that the market softened over the last two years and there is less pressure on firms to increase salaries in order to remain competitive.”
While some large law firms boosted entry-level associate salaries to $225,000 in late 2023 and early 2024, most have yet to follow suit. Only 32% of offices reported offering this amount to first-year hires, though the rate was higher—45%—among firms of 701+ lawyers. Still, $225,000 emerged as the most frequently reported salary figure, suggesting a potential trend. In many cases, it takes at least two years for salary increases to ripple through the legal industry. Entry-level associate compensation can also vary significantly by market, and in fact, in six cities (Austin, Boston, Houston, New York City, San Francisco, and the Washington, DC area), the median starting salary has reached $225,000.
Reuters, Starting law firm associate pay has been flat since 2023, NALP reports:
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