The Latest Personal Injury Lawyer Salary Statistics

Personal injury law is a demanding field of legal practice. Personal injury lawyers advocate for clients who have been physically or psychologically injured due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, company, or entity. Their compensation, often tied to the outcomes of these cases, varies widely and reflects the demanding nature of their work.

Read on as we explore the varied earnings of personal injury lawyers, delving into how different factors like experience, geographical location, and the complexity of the cases they handle influence their income.

Understanding the Compensation Structure

Personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only get paid if they win the case or settle it favorably out of court. The standard contingency fee is usually between 25% and 40% of the settlement or judgment. This fee structure motivates lawyers to only take on cases they believe they can win, and also to maximize the compensation for their clients.

Factors Influencing Income

Experience: Seasoned lawyers with a track record of winning high-stakes cases generally earn more than those just starting out in their careers.
Location: Lawyers in urban centers or regions with higher costs of living tend to charge more than those in rural areas.
Case Complexity: More complex cases often result in higher fees. Cases involving severe injuries or wrongful death can yield significant settlements or awards.
Reputation: Lawyers who have established a strong reputation in the field may attract more high-profile cases, which can lead to higher earnings.

The Impact of Winning Big Cases

Winning a high-profile or high-damage case can significantly increase a lawyer’s earnings. For example, a 30% contingency fee on a $2 million settlement amounts to a $600,000 fee for a single case. Some prominent personal injury lawyers have garnered fame and fortune by consistently securing large settlements for their clients.

Personal Injury Lawyer Salary Statistics

In 2024, the Personal Injury Lawyers & Attorneys industry distributed total wages amounting to $22.7 billion. Over the preceding five years, from 2019 to 2024, the industry saw an average annual wage growth of 3.1%, reflecting a steady increase in compensation within the sector. This trend indicates a robust expansion in the economic footprint of personal injury law practices during this period.

[IBISWorld]

The average personal injury lawyer salary a year, as of May 2024, is $114,640. The base salary in the industry is reported to range from as low as $53,500 to as high as $218,659.

The earnings for personal injury lawyers vary significantly, with the top earners making up to $173,000 annually. Those in the 75th percentile earn about $139,000, while those in the 25th percentile make around $89,500.

The estimated additional pay salaried personal injury attorneys receive is estimated at $15,214 a year.

The average hourly rate of a personal injury attorney stands at $53.09, with the lowest reported rate starting at $25.72 and the highest at $93.67.

[ZipRecruiter, Indeed]

Personal Injury Attorney Salaries by State

The average salary for a personal injury lawyer in Alabama is approximately $94,665. However, the typical salary range varies widely from about $81,324 to $109,666.
In Alaska, the average salary for a personal injury lawyer is approximately $112,176. However, salary ranges for this profession can vary widely, typically falling between $96,367 and $129,953.
In Arizona, personal injury lawyers earn an average of $100,330 annually. The compensation range for these legal professionals starts at $86,191 and goes up to $116,230.
For personal injury lawyers in Arkansas, the typical annual earnings amount to about $93,841. Depending on various factors, including experience and location, salaries in this sector stretch from $80,616 to $108,712.
In California, those practicing personal injury law make an average salary of $113,618. They can expect to earn between $97,606 and $131,623, with such discrepancies largely dependent on their professional expertise and geographic area.
Personal injury lawyers in Colorado have an average salary of around $105,069, with the range spreading from $90,261 to $121,719.
In Connecticut, personal injury lawyers have an average annual salary of approximately $110,631. Salaries within the state show a considerable range, from about $95,040 at the lower end to as much as $128,163 at the upper end.
In Delaware, the average salary for personal injury lawyers stands at $104,554. Salaries within the state fluctuate between $89,819 and $121,122.
In the District of Columbia, the average annual salary for personal injury lawyers is $114,648. The salary range for these legal professionals stretches from $98,491 to $132,817, reflecting the diverse economic landscape of the area.
In Florida, personal injury lawyers earn an average salary of $97,858. The salary range for these professionals typically spans from $84,067 to $113,366.
In Georgia, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $99,609. The range in salaries typically extends from $85,571 to $115,394.
In Hawaii, personal injury lawyers have an average salary of $107,644. The salary range varies from $92,474 to $124,702, indicating a significant spread that depends on numerous factors.
In Idaho, the average salary for personal injury lawyers stands at $96,107. This professional group sees a salary range that starts at $82,563 and extends up to $111,337.
In Illinois, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $105,378. The range for these salaries typically stretches from $90,527 to $122,077.
In Indiana, the average salary for personal injury lawyers stands at $99,918. The salary range for this legal specialty varies from $85,837 at the lower end to $115,752 at the higher end.
In Iowa, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $98,579. Salaries in this field range from a low of $84,686 to a high of $114,201.
In Kansas, personal injury lawyers have an average annual salary of $98,064. The range in which their salaries typically fall is between $84,244 and $113,604.
In Kentucky, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $96,931. The salary range for these professionals typically spans from $83,271 to $112,292.
In Louisiana, personal injury lawyers earn an average salary of $97,961. Their salaries range from $84,155 at the lower end to $113,485 at the upper end.
In Maine, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is approximately $100,227. The salary range for this legal profession in Maine stretches from $86,102 to $116,110.
In Maryland, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $106,202. The salary range varies widely, from $91,235 at the lower end to $123,032 at the higher end.
In Massachusetts, personal injury lawyers have an average salary of $112,073. Their earnings can range significantly, from $96,279 to $129,833, depending on several factors.
In Michigan, personal injury lawyers earn an average salary of $101,669. The range in which their salaries fall typically extends from $87,341 to $117,781.
In Minnesota, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $105,378. They experience a salary range that stretches from $90,527 at the lower end to $122,077 at the upper end.
In Mississippi, personal injury lawyers have an average salary of $91,884. The salary range for professionals in this field varies from $78,934 to $106,444.
In Missouri, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $98,167. The range of salaries typically spans from $84,332 to $113,724.
In Montana, personal injury lawyers earn an average salary of $96,210. Their earnings range from $82,651 to $111,456.
In Nebraska, the average salary for personal injury lawyers stands at $97,034. This profession sees a salary range from $83,359 at the lower end to $112,411 at the higher end.
In Nevada, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $103,421. The range for their compensation extends from $88,846 to $119,810.
In New Hampshire, personal injury lawyers have an average salary of $104,760. Their salary range typically varies from $89,996 to $121,361.
In New Jersey, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $112,897. The range within which their salaries typically fall is between $96,987 and $130,788.
In New Mexico, personal injury lawyers earn an average salary of $94,974. The typical salary range for professionals in this field extends from $81,589 to $110,024.
In New York, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $109,807. The salary range typically spans from $94,332 to $127,208.
In North Carolina, personal injury lawyers have an average salary of $98,888. The salary range for this legal profession in North Carolina extends from $84,952 at the lower end to $114,559 at the higher end.
In North Dakota, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $101,978. The range of salaries typically varies from $87,607 to $118,139.
In Ohio, the average salary for personal injury lawyers stands at $100,742. The salary range in this field typically oscillates between $86,545 and $116,707.
In Oklahoma, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $95,283. The range within which their salaries fall extends from $81,855 to $110,382.
In Oregon, personal injury lawyers earn an average salary of $104,657. Their salaries typically range from $89,907 to $121,242.
In Pennsylvania, personal injury lawyers have an average salary of $102,802. The salary range for these legal professionals varies from $88,315 at the lower end to $119,094 at the higher end.
In Rhode Island, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $107,541. The range within which their salaries typically fall is from $92,385 to $124,583.
In South Carolina, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is estimated at $97,240. The salary range for these legal professionals stretches from $83,536 to $112,650.
In South Dakota, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $92,605. This salary can range from a low of $79,554 to a high of $107,280.
In Tennessee, personal injury lawyers earn an average salary of $95,386. The salary range for this legal profession extends from $81,943 at the lower end to $110,502 at the higher end.
In Texas, the average salary for personal injury lawyers stands at $100,845. This role sees a salary range from $86,633 to $116,826, reflecting the economic diversity across the state.
In Utah, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $97,961. The range in which these salaries typically fall is from $84,155 to $113,485.
In Vermont, personal injury lawyers have an average salary of $101,051. Their salaries typically range from $86,810 to $117,065, reflecting the variability based on several important factors.
In Virginia, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $103,318. This professional group sees a range in salaries from $88,757 at the lower end to $119,690 at the higher end.
In Washington, the average salary for personal injury lawyers stands at $111,043. The range of salaries extends from $95,394 to $128,640.
In West Virginia, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $92,708. The salary range for this legal profession varies from $79,642 at the lower end to $107,399 at the upper end.
In Wisconsin, personal injury lawyers have an average salary of $101,772. Their earnings range from $87,430 to $117,900, indicating a broad salary spectrum.
In Wyoming, the average salary for personal injury lawyers is $98,785. The range of their salaries typically extends from $84,863 to $114,440.

[Salary.com]

Examples of Earnings Based on Career Level

Entry-level personal injury lawyers might earn around $50,000 to $60,000 a year.
Mid-career lawyers with some significant cases and settlements could earn between $100,000 and $200,000.
Highly experienced and successful personal injury lawyers, especially those in large metropolitan areas or who specialize in high-stakes cases, can earn well into the millions annually.

The Bottom Line

The career of a personal injury lawyer can be financially rewarding, particularly for those who are skilled in negotiating and litigating complex cases. While the path to becoming a successful personal injury lawyer involves dedication and hard work, the potential financial rewards are considerable.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Make?