Lawyers

Lawyers, also known as attorneys or barristers, advise and represent individuals, businesses, or government agencies. Their daily tasks center on gathering information, solving complex problems, and interpreting laws, regulations, and rulings for others. They spend significant time negotiating disputes, resolving conflicts, and communicating with clients, colleagues, and external parties. To protect their clients' interests, they evaluate information to ensure compliance with standards and draft precise legal documents.

This profession requires strong skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing to build persuasive arguments. Success in this field relies on deep knowledge of law and government, the English language, and customer service. Because legal work is intellectually demanding and highly sensitive, professionals must demonstrate integrity, attention to detail, and dependability. They must maintain self-control and stress tolerance when handling high-pressure cases. This career strongly appeals to individuals with enterprising interests who enjoy taking on leadership roles, persuading others, and making critical decisions.

Entering this field requires extensive preparation, typically culminating in a doctoral or professional degree. Most aspiring lawyers earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, though some pursue other graduate degrees. Common college majors that lead to this career include law and legal research and advanced professional studies.

After completing their education, candidates must meet state-specific requirements to practice. Some states list a license for this work. Additionally, professionals can pursue voluntary certifications to demonstrate specialized expertise. Examples of these credentials include the Law and Public Safety Introductory Level certification from the Law and Public Safety Education Network, or Board Certification in Social Security Disability Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

The median annual pay for lawyers is $159,670. Earnings vary significantly based on experience, location, and specialization. The lowest 10 percent of earners make less than $78,360, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $351,600.

Employment in this field is projected to grow by 4.7 percent from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. Despite this average growth rate, the profession expects about 28,700 job openings each year to replace workers who leave the field or retire.