National Plaintiffs’ Law Association: First-Year Attorney Salary Averages $131,313

• First-year attorneys at plaintiffs law firms earn an average annual salary of $131,313, according to the National Plaintiffs’ Law Association's inaugural report.
• The study, which surveyed 80 plaintiff-side attorneys in late 2024 and early 2025, found that firm size significantly impacts compensation.
• Firms with over 100 attorneys paid an average of $160,857, while those with fewer than 20 averaged $106,111.
• First-year attorneys also received average bonuses of $21,195, with a median bonus of $15,000.
• Approximately 49% of firms have structured raise policies, while 21.5% have none, and nearly 17% use discretionary systems.

For attorneys either contemplating or currently engaged in plaintiffs' work, this detailed information serves as an essential tool.

The National Plaintiffs’ Law Association (NPLA) has published its inaugural salary report, offering a comprehensive look into the financial landscape for new legal professionals within plaintiff-side firms. This significant study, based on a survey of 80 plaintiff-side attorneys conducted between late 2024 and early 2025, reveals that the average National Plaintiffs’ Law Association first-year attorney salary stands at $131,313 annually. This figure provides a crucial benchmark for those entering this specialized legal field.

Beyond base compensation, the NPLA salary report also details the prevalence and value of bonuses. The study found that first-year attorneys received an average bonus of $21,195, with the median bonus amount recorded at $15,000. These additional earnings components are an important consideration when evaluating the total entry-level lawyer pay in plaintiffs firms.

A significant finding from the NPLA's comprehensive analysis is the direct relationship between the size of a firm and its first-year attorney compensation plaintiffs firms. The report indicates that larger plaintiffs firms, defined as those with a staff exceeding 100 attorneys, offer a considerably higher average starting salary. For these larger entities, the average annual compensation for new lawyers was $160,857.

Conversely, the plaintiff-side attorney salary study highlighted that smaller firms, those employing fewer than 20 attorneys, typically provide lower entry-level lawyer pay. The average salary in these smaller settings was reported as $106,111 per year. This clear differential underscores how a firm's scale can significantly impact a first-year attorney's earning potential within the plaintiffs' bar.

The inaugural NPLA salary report also examined the various policies governing salary increases for new attorneys. It revealed that approximately 49% of the surveyed firms have established structured or lockstep pay raise policies, offering a predictable trajectory for compensation growth. This provides a degree of certainty for first-year attorneys regarding their future earnings.

However, the study also identified a notable portion of firms operating without such formal structures. About 21.5% of firms reported having no specific policy for structured or lockstep raises, while nearly 17% relied on purely discretionary or merit-based systems for salary adjustments. This diversity in raise structures is a vital piece of information for any lawyer assessing their long-term financial outlook in plaintiffs firms.

The data presented in the National Plaintiffs’ Law Association first-year attorney salary report holds substantial strategic value for individuals and organizations alike. For attorneys either contemplating or currently engaged in plaintiffs' work, this detailed information serves as an essential tool. It enables them to benchmark their compensation expectations, engage in more informed salary negotiations, and gain a clearer understanding of current market rates for entry-level talent.

Furthermore, firm partners and legal recruiters can utilize these findings to enhance their operational strategies. The NPLA salary report provides critical insights for developing competitive recruitment packages, ensuring their first-year attorney compensation plaintiffs firms remain attractive to top legal graduates, and structuring internal pay scales effectively. This comprehensive plaintiff-side attorney salary study is indispensable for maintaining a competitive edge in the legal talent market.

Lawyers considering or currently working in plaintiffs' firms can use this data to benchmark their compensation expectations, negotiate salaries, or understand market rates for entry-level talent. Firm partners can leverage this information for recruitment strategies and internal compensation structuring to remain competitive.

Source: Original reporting via Law.com and National Plaintiffs’ Law Association.