Hiring for skilled legal professionals remains strong, and legal salaries are inching up. The 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half projects a 1.4% average salary increase across legal roles, with greater gains for contract management, compliance and law firm attorney positions as teams tackle more matters and tighter regulations. That’s the backdrop for higher-paying legal jobs in 2026 and our shortlist of top legal jobs to watch across career levels.Skills move pay. Seventy-nine percent of legal leaders say they offer higher salaries to candidates with advanced expertise in areas like legal technology, AI governance, data privacy and risk management. If you bring hard-to-find strengths, you’re in a strong position to negotiate with confidence.Below you’ll find a focused lineup of higher-paying legal jobs for 2026. Each entry includes a snapshot of the role, the U.S. national midpoint salary and a quick link to explore the job description and similar roles or check local figures with the Salary Calculator—useful if you’re mapping next steps in your legal career.
1. In-house counsel/associate general counsel (10+ years’ experience)
See In-House Counsel/Associate General Counsel (10+ Years’ Experience) Salaries and Similar JobsOne of the top legal jobs, an experienced in-house counsel advises senior leaders on complex matters, from major contracts to regulatory change, while shaping legal strategy and managing risk across the business. At this level, counsel often owns a specialty—M&A, litigation, securities or privacy—and coordinates outside counsel on high-stakes work. Typical qualifications include a JD, active state bar license and 10+ years' experience in corporate practice.Typical responsibilities:Draft, negotiate and review complex commercial agreementsAdvise executives on governance, risk and regulatory issuesLead key matters such as M&A, investigations or litigation strategyManage outside counsel and guide internal legal operationsNational midpoint starting salary: $186,250
2. Compliance director
See Compliance Director – Legal Salaries and Similar JobsThis position leads the compliance administration team and the company’s overall compliance strategy. They turn regulations into clear processes and controls while liaising with senior company leaders, external business partners and regulators. Typical qualifications include a bachelor's degree; many employers prefer a JD or a master's in finance or risk management, along with strong leadership and judgment.Typical responsibilities:Set the organization's compliance strategy and cultureMaintain policies plus annual testing and monitoring plansAct as liaison with regulators and internal control groupsPrepare compliance reporting for senior management and the boardNational midpoint starting salary: $144,500
3. Lawyer/attorney (4-9 years’ experience)
See Lawyer/Attorney (4-9 Years’ Experience) Salaries and Similar JobsAttorneys with 4–9 years of experience offer advanced legal expertise, strategic guidance and leadership on complex cases. They handle high-level matters, advise on legal and business risks, and often oversee junior staff. This role suits professionals aiming to deepen their specialization, grow client relationships, and support firm growth. Like many higher-paying legal jobs, most attorney roles require a JD and an active bar license.Typical responsibilities:Manage cases or transactions from intake through resolutionDraft briefs, contracts and legal memoranda with limited oversightAdvise clients on compliance, risk and strategic legal questionsSupervise junior attorneys and coordinate with senior partnersNational midpoint starting salary: $140,000
4. Lawyer/attorney (2-3 years’ experience)
See Lawyer/Attorney (2-3 Years’ Experience) Salaries and Similar JobsA lawyer at this level works under supervision on research, drafting and client matters while building practical skills across discovery, contract review or regulatory filings. They start to handle smaller cases or pieces of larger transactions independently. Most employers require a JD, an active state bar license and 2-3 years of post-admission experience.Typical responsibilities:Conduct legal research and draft memos, briefs and motionsAssist with discovery, depositions and trial preparationReview and modify contracts under partner guidanceCommunicate with clients and opposing counsel on routine mattersNational midpoint starting salary: $123,500
5. Legal operations manager
See Legal Operations Manager Salaries and Similar JobsThis role oversees and drives the core systems that keep operations running smoothly—financial planning, vendor management, process improvement and tech implementation. The role bridges legal and business operations, making it a good path for professionals who enjoy both strategy and execution. The position is ideal for professionals looking to deepen their specialization by focusing on complex, high-impact matters within their practice area. This higher-paying legal job call for a bachelor's degree, several years in legal operations or project management, and strong analytical skills.Typical responsibilities:Manage budgets, spending and vendor contractsIdentify and implement software solutions to improve operationsTrack metrics like matter cycle time and outside counsel spendCoordinate cross-functional projects and process improvementsNational midpoint starting salary: $104,250
6. Director of legal administration
See Director of Legal Administration Salaries and Similar JobsA director of legal administration oversees the administrative infrastructure supporting the legal team—everything from facilities and records management to staffing and budget oversight. This role requires balancing operational detail with strategic planning. Typical requirements include a bachelor's degree, significant administrative experience and strong leadership capability.Typical responsibilities:Direct administrative staff and allocate resources across the departmentManage office operations, records systems and vendor relationshipsPrepare budgets and track departmental spendingImplement policies, procedures and compliance protocolsNational midpoint starting salary: $101,000
7. Paralegal manager
See Paralegal Manager Salaries and Similar JobsLeading the paralegal team, a paralegal manager sets workflows and quality standards and makes sure document management systems truly help lawyers move faster. If you’re tracking paralegal salaries, these positions sit at the top thanks to their responsibility for team performance, operational efficiency and compliance oversight. Most employers expect a bachelor’s degree, paralegal certification and about five years’ paralegal experience, plus strong communication and attention to detail.Typical responsibilities:Assign cases and manage workload across the paralegal teamSupport research and drafting, including the use of legal tech toolsKeep deliverables on time and accurate across mattersCoordinate with attorneys on urgent or complex tasksRecruit, train and coach paralegals National midpoint starting salary: $98,500
8. Patent agent
See Patent Agent Salaries and Similar JobsThis position is one of the higher-paying legal jobs that doesn’t require a law degree. A patent agent prepares and files patent applications, conducts prior-art searches and responds to United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) actions. Patent agents must pass the USPTO registration exam and typically hold a technical degree in engineering, chemistry, biology or a related field. This role offers strong earning potential for those with specialized STEM backgrounds.Typical responsibilities:Draft patent applications with detailed claims and technical drawingsConduct patentability searches and freedom-to-operate analysesRespond to office actions and manage prosecution timelinesWork with inventors and attorneys to protect intellectual propertyNational midpoint starting salary: $96,000
9. Senior paralegal
See Senior Paralegal Salaries and Similar JobsA senior paralegal handles complex litigation, transactional or regulatory work with minimal attorney oversight. They often serve as the go-to resource for document management, case strategy and mentoring junior staff. Most roles require a bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate, several years of experience and proficiency with e-discovery and case management platforms. These positions offer some of the higher paralegal salaries in the field, reflecting both the expertise and responsibility involved.Typical responsibilities:Manage discovery, organize exhibits and prepare trial bindersDraft pleadings, correspondence and routine legal documentsCoordinate with clients, courts and opposing counselTrain and supervise junior paralegals and support staffNational midpoint starting salary: $92,250
10. Contract manager
See Contract Manager Salaries and Similar JobsManaging the full lifecycle of commercial agreements, contract managers handle everything from drafting and negotiation to compliance and performance tracking. They also act as the link among legal, procurement and business teams, so the role suits people who enjoy working with both the fine print and coordinating across teams. Most positions call for a bachelor’s degree in business, finance or related field, and a JD is often preferred. Employers also look for contract managers with hands-on contract management experience and solid analytical and negotiation skills.Typical responsibilities:Draft, review and negotiate contracts with vendors, customers and partnersKeep a central record of all contracts and manage the renewal calendarTrack key terms, obligations and performance benchmarksWork with legal, finance and procurement to shape contract strategyNational midpoint starting salary: $86,500
Interested in learning more about higher-paying legal jobs? Check out the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half today. It’s packed with localized insights to help you adjust your salary expectations based on region, current demand and other variables.
