Salary & Compensation
2026 BigLaw Total Comp Breakdown
Base salary is only part of the picture. Here's what BigLaw associates actually take home in 2026 when you add bonuses, benefits, and the rest.
BigLaw Bear · 3 min read
Everyone knows the BigLaw starting salary. It is $225,000. That number gets repeated constantly on Reddit, in law school hallways, and at every admitted students event. But base salary is only one piece of total compensation, and if you stop there, you are missing a significant chunk of money.
Here is what BigLaw associates actually earn in 2026 when you add everything up.
The full picture: base + bonus + benefits
Total compensation includes your base salary, year-end bonus, any special bonuses, 401(k) match, and benefits like health insurance. Here is the Cravath-scale breakdown by class year:
| Class Year | Base Salary | Year-End Bonus | Total Cash Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | $225,000 | $20,000 | $247,500 |
| 2nd Year | $235,000 | $37,500 | $272,500 |
| 3rd Year | $260,000 | $55,000 | $315,000 |
| 4th Year | $290,000 | $77,500 | $367,500 |
| 5th Year | $320,000 | $100,000 | $420,000 |
| 6th Year | $350,000 | $112,500 | $462,500 |
| 7th Year | $365,000 | $127,500 | $492,500 |
| 8th Year | $385,000 | $142,500 | $527,500 |
These are the standard market numbers that most firms in the firm directory match. Some firms pay above market, particularly for associates in high-demand practice areas or offices.
What about benefits?
On top of cash compensation, most BigLaw firms provide:
- 401(k) match. Typically 3-6% of salary, which adds $6,750 to $13,500 per year for a first-year.
- Health insurance. Firms generally cover 80-100% of premiums. The value of this is roughly $8,000 to $15,000 annually depending on the plan and whether you cover dependents.
- Bar exam stipend. Most firms pay for your bar prep course and give you a stipend during study. This is usually $10,000 to $15,000 total.
- Moving expenses. Many firms cover relocation costs for incoming associates, typically $5,000 to $10,000.
When you factor in benefits, a first-year BigLaw associate's total compensation package is closer to $270,000 to $285,000 in value.
Which firms pay above market?
A handful of firms consistently pay above the Cravath scale. Elite firms like Wachtell Lipton, Sullivan & Cromwell, and some others offer higher bonuses or special bonuses that push total comp even further. You can compare compensation across firms on BigLaw Bear to see who pays what.
The number that matters: effective hourly rate
Here is the part nobody talks about at OCI. If you bill 2,000 hours per year (which usually means working 2,400 to 2,600 total hours), your effective hourly rate as a first-year associate is roughly $95 to $103 per hour. That is good money, but it is worth doing the math before you assume BigLaw pays more than every alternative.
By comparison, a mid-level software engineer earning $200,000 and working 2,000 total hours per year makes $100 per hour with significantly more control over their schedule.
What this means for you
Total comp in BigLaw is genuinely excellent, especially for the first few years. But the value proposition changes as you get more senior and the hours stay intense. Understanding the full picture, not just the base salary headline, helps you make smarter decisions about your career.
Browse the firm directory to compare compensation data across the top 100 firms and see which ones fit your priorities.
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