Attorney Compensation Calculator: Estimate Law Firm Salaries Instantly

How to use the tool

1. Fill annual billable hours. Example 1: 1,930; Example 2: 2,320.
2. Add the hourly billing rate (USD). Example 1: 425; Example 2: 750.
3. Enter the collection rate (%). Example 1: 90; Example 2: 87.
4. Select a compensation model—Percentage of Collections, Base Salary + Bonus, or Lockstep.
5. Complete model-specific fields.
   • Percentage: rate such as 37 or 40.
   • Salary + Bonus: base salary such as 150,000 or 210,000.
   • Lockstep: years of experience such as 8 or 15.
6. Press “Calculate Compensation.” Review the instant estimate and compare models.

Formulas used

Total Billings

$$ \text{Billings}= \text{Hours} \times \text{Rate} \times \text{Collection \%} $$

Percentage of Collections

$$ \text{Comp}= \text{Billings} \times \text{Pct \%} $$

Base Salary + Bonus (10 % bonus assumed)

$$ \text{Comp}= \text{Base} + 0.10 \times \text{Billings} $$

Lockstep (base $160,000; +$10,000/year)

$$ \text{Comp}=160{,}000 + 10{,}000 \times \text{Years} $$

Example calculation (Percentage model)

• Hours 1,930; Rate $425; Collection 90 %; Percentage 37 %
• Billings = 1,930 × 425 × 0.90 = $738,225
• Compensation = $738,225 × 0.37 = $273,143

Example calculation (Salary + Bonus)

• Base $150,000; Billings $738,225
• Compensation = 150,000 + 0.10 × 738,225 = $223,823

Example calculation (Lockstep)

• Years 8
• Compensation = 160,000 + 8 × 10,000 = $240,000

Quick-Facts

• Midsize U.S. firms: $205k median first-year associate pay (NALP 2023 Associate Salary Survey).
• Average billed hourly rate $313 nationwide (Clio Legal Trends Report 2023).
• Industry-wide collection rate averages 89 % (Thomson Reuters, 2023 State of the Legal Market).
• 48 % of firms tie pay to percentage of collections (Altman Weil, 2022 Law Firms in Transition).

FAQ

What does the calculator measure?

The tool converts your revenue inputs into projected annual compensation under three common models, letting you benchmark offers or reviews in seconds.

How accurate are the figures?

Results follow fixed formulas; accuracy depends on how closely your inputs match actual hours, rates, and collections — errors fall when data is current (Thomson Reuters, 2023).

Can I change the 10 % bonus assumption?

Yes. Replace 0.10 in the Base + Bonus formula with your firm’s actual percentage, then recalculate.

Does the tool handle partner profit-sharing?

No. Partner equity distributions vary by firm; add them manually to the calculator’s output for full compensation.

Why include collection rate?

Firms collect about 89 % of billed hours, so revenue and pay must reflect real cash received, not just time recorded (Thomson Reuters, 2023).

What input ranges are typical?

Billable hours: 1,600–2,400; hourly rates: $200–$1,000; collection rates: 80–96 % (NALP 2023; Clio 2023).

How do I model part-time lawyers?

Scale billable hours to the planned schedule—e.g., 60 % workload equals 60 % of full-time hours—and run the normal calculation.

Which model is most common for associates?

U.S. firms still favor a base salary with discretionary bonus for junior lawyers, but usage of collections-based formulas rises with seniority (Altman Weil, 2022).

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