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Job outlook for general counsels in the United States
General counsel job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected general counsel job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 80,200 new jobs for general counsels are projected over the next decade.
General counsel salaries have increased 7% for general counsels in the last 5 years.
There are over 52,634 general counsels currently employed in the United States.
There are 50,275 active general counsel job openings in the US.
The average general counsel salary is $125,248.
Are general counsel jobs in demand?
General Counsel job and salary trends over time
General Counsel jobs over time
General Counsel job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52,634 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 50,865 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 50,792 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 49,677 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 48,566 | 0.01% |
Average general counsel salary over time
General Counsel salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $125,248 | $60.22 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $121,331 | $58.33 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $119,308 | $57.36 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $117,670 | $56.57 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $116,594 | $56.06 | +2.0% |
General Counsel jobs by state
Most common states for general counsels
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 278 | 40% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 171 | 18% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,008 | 15% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 186 | 14% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 105 | 14% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 138 | 13% |
| 7 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,595 | 12% |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,572 | 12% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 854 | 12% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 478 | 12% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 227 | 12% |
| 12 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 204 | 12% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 381 | 11% |
| 14 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 152 | 11% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 797 | 9% |
| 16 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 80 | 9% |
| 17 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,625 | 8% |
| 18 | Vermont | 623,657 | 48 | 8% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 22 | 4% |
| 20 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 99 | 2% |
Most common cities for general counsels
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novi | 2 | 3% | $95,657 |
| 2 | Diamond Bar | 1 | 2% | $150,692 |
| 3 | Waltham | 1 | 2% | $105,375 |
| 4 | Framingham | 1 | 1% | $105,513 |
| 5 | Portland | 1 | 1% | $104,815 |
| 6 | Rancho Cordova | 1 | 1% | $152,882 |
| 7 | Walnut Creek | 1 | 1% | $155,167 |
| 8 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $105,390 |
| 9 | San Francisco | 3 | 0% | $155,886 |
| 10 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $135,494 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $96,267 |
| 12 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $97,367 |
| 13 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $131,288 |
| 14 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $150,409 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $151,194 |
| 16 | San Jose | 1 | 0% | $155,531 |
General Counsel job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of general counsel experts
University of Houston
Prairie View A&M University
Chapman University
What skills stand out on General Counsel resumes?
Katherine Butler Brem: From the 30,000 foot view, the things that stand out on a new lawyer's resume are things that reflect work ethic and intellect. This is why lawyers, perhaps more than any other profession, are "credentials conscious." To an employer, GPA is important because it reflects both intellect and a good work ethic. Of course, where you go to law school is also important. But there are other things students can do to enhance these qualities of work ethic and intellect on their resumes. Journal work reflects a strong work ethic and is, typically, derivative of a student's GPA. Participating in moot court and mock trial also indicate strong work ethic and a student's willingness to think hard about difficult problems. Employers also appreciate things that reflect practical skills: judicial internships, summer clerkships, and other work experience, as well as clinic experience. Clinics offer a wealth of real-world experience. I always tell students that even if they don't intend to do work similar to the work they do in a clinic - immigration work, for example - the people skills they learn dealing with real-world clients are invaluable, and the knowledge they take away will be useful for a lifetime.
And if students have any unique characteristic that sets them apart from the average law student, definitely include that on your resume. If you were a fishing guide in the summers, for example, or a zip line instructor at a summer camp, include it. Our career counselors usually advise against including this sort of non-legal experience but, when I was in practice and interviewing law students, it was the first thing my colleagues and I looked for. A lot of resumes look more or less the same - making your resume memorable may move your resume to the top of a pile. On two occasions, students have told me this advice was very helpful. One was a ballerina for a professional company in Poland before emigrating to the United States and attending college and then law school. The other had an FFA scholarship in college that required her to castrate hogs as part of a work-study experience. Each told me they left these experiences on their resumes against Career Development's advice, yet it was all anyone ever asked about during interviews. And, interestingly, both were offered employment at firms that typically looked for students with better traditional qualifications.
What hard/technical skills are most important for General Counsels?
Katherine Butler Brem: Two things: Research skills, especially research skills specific to a particular specialty area like tax or immigration. If you're looking for work in these fields, you need to be knowledgeable about where and how to research law relevant to these specialties. Secondly, just minimum competence in the technology you need to practice law in the absence of significant administrative assistance - things like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and billing software.
What skills will help General Counsels earn the most?
Katherine Butler Brem: Both a strong work ethic and well-developed intellect are critical for advancement. It's not likely that who you know or fate will allow you to stumble into a windfall. The most successful lawyers are the ones that work the hardest. This doesn't mean that you can't take time for yourself, but you have to be disciplined with your time. Also, good client communication skills and an ability to understand client needs and motivations are equally critical for advancement. When a client contacts you, they're looking for a quick response - even if that response is simply to say that you are working on the problem and will get back to them at a specific time.
Richard McWhorter Ph.D.
Adjunct InstructorPrairie View A&M University
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on General Counsels?
Richard McWhorter Ph.D.: The simple answer if there will be a lasting impact from a pandemic would have a range of responses. By evaluating the reactions and responses to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States, a range of these were been reported. There were the deniers who resisted accepting the reality or severity of this pandemic even to a level of believing it was a hoax. This was compounded by similar ranges of responses by the elected leaders of United States.
At the time of this writing, the pandemic was continuing. It was in addition mutating in different regions of the world. Though vaccines were being developed and administered, the full effectiveness of these have not yet been fully evaluated.
Also, the leadership of the United States has recently changed to a more proactive approach in addressing the pandemic and its repercussions on the United States. A new administration has begun to address the occupational and economic impact, including the major disruptions of personal, community, and occupational lives and activities. These included widespread economic issues, including food and income issues.
Numerous studies will be needed to analyze and evaluate many areas of successes, weakness or failures in addressing a pandemic. It will need a pandemic effort to analyze, evaluate and develop and proposals for constructive preparation and proactive changes to address multiple economic and social needs.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for General Counsels?
Richard McWhorter Ph.D.: Due to an almost global impact the majority if not all certifications/licenses/courses will need to be reviewed and reevaluated to better address the wide ranges of impacts and deficiencies discovered. From these analyses, any deficiencies discovered in services and deliveries of training will need to be addressed and changes made in trainings for helping professionals public servants knowledge and abilities. These need to better address a pandemic level situation and the victims of a pandemic.
Therefore, all certifications/licenses/courses requirements for all levels of a population. These need to be reviewed, re-evaluated and if needed, modified or changed including being more adequate including diverse and possibly cross educations, trainings and experiences to qualify for different certifications/licenses/course completions.
In the areas of human science, the areas needing to be addressed include stress management issues, victimization, various personality disorders, post traumatic stress. disorders to grief responses. Some of the professional preparations needing to be reviewed with possible modifications might include specific trainings and experiences.
Especially focus on self care and support, especially for those who are the professionals who encounters the suffering public. Trainings on how to interact effectively with pandemic victims, both primary and secondary victims.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the General Counsel job market given the pandemic?
Naveen Jonathan Ph.D.: The biggest trends I see in the job market include therapist who have experience in providing telehealth in addition to in-person counseling services. Therapists have learned to adapt to new technology and in providing these sessions. They also have learned how to deliver effective mental health care across technology platforms. I also see therapists who are advocates of mental health stigma. I feel that the pandemic has made visible the importance of mental health. I see more therapists entering the field who have a passion to serve the public and ensure that mental health is important. I see therapists also actively working to eradicate mental health stigma.
What technical skills for a General Counsel stand out to employers?
Naveen Jonathan Ph.D.: Technical skills that I see employers looking for due to the pandemic, include flexibility and comfort of providing therapy services both in-person and via telehealth. I also see employers looking for therapists who are trained in trauma-informed care. When situations such as the pandemic emerge, they can evoke a traumatic response. If a client has experienced past trauma in their life, these can also reemerge. Therefore, knowledge of trauma-informed care would be important.
What's a good job out of college for General Counsels?
Naveen Jonathan Ph.D.: I am not sure how to answer this question, because in my program, my students are training to graduate and become licensed Marriage & Family Therapists. There isn't a different career that they would pursue if they stayed in the field.