To demystify compensation for in-house legal professionals in the US, we recently ran a salary survey in collaboration with In-House Connect.

This survey received over 850 responses, covering numerous roles in the in-house legal community. Of these respondents, nearly 15 people held the title of Head of Legal Operations. 

In this post, we will do a detailed breakdown of the average compensation for a Head of Legal Operations in the US. The data is based on various key factors: years of experience (YOE), gender, location across the US, industries, office setups, and company financing stages—providing you with a comprehensive view of the compensation landscape.

On average, a Head of Legal Operations makes USD 259,306

This figure encompasses base salary, bonuses, and equity options—across various factors including location, years of experience, gender, industry, office setup, and the company's financing stage.

In comparison, a Chief Legal Officer’s salary touches USD 1,307,405 and a General Counsel’s compensation reaches USD 675,775, on average.

Salary components

Base salary: USD 191,250

Heads of Legal Operations get base components that are 45% lower than that of Chief Legal Officers and 30% lower than that of General Counsel.

Target bonus: USD 23,515

The average target bonus for Heads of Legal Operations is 82% lower than the average performance bonus for a Chief Legal Officer and 71% lower than what is offered to a General Counsel.

Equity component: USD 44,542

An average equity component of USD 44,542 helps these leaders align their success with that of the organization.

This figure is 95% lower than the average equity component for a Chief Legal Officer and 86% lower than what is offered to a General Counsel.

Salary data by years of experience

Experience in the legal field not only enriches professional acumen but also impacts compensation, as shown below:

Gender-based compensation for Heads of Legal Operations

Female Heads of Legal Operations earn a base salary of $177,500 compared to $218,750 for males, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving pay parity.

On average, male Heads of Legal Operations make 28% more than their female counterparts.

Bonuses and equity components reveal a similar trend, with men receiving higher amounts.

Geographic locations play a role in determining a Head of Legal Operations’s salary

Location significantly influences a Head of Legal Operations’ compensation, reflecting the cost of living and the local demand for legal expertise.

New York emerges as the financial capital for Heads of Legal Operations, with a base salary reaching USD 291,000, significantly higher than other cities.

Equity components also vary greatly by location, with San Francisco leading in equity at USD 87,300.

Industry effect on a Head of Legal Operations’ salary

Media & Entertainment stands out with a base salary of USD 342,000, dwarfing other sectors and showcasing the premium on legal operations expertise in high-profile industries.

The Technology sector leads in offering higher equity components.

Sector specifics paint a picture of varied compensation, as shown below.

The impact of office setup on salary

The evolution of work environments from traditional office settings to remote and hybrid models is mirrored in compensation trends.

Compensation based on the financing stage of a company

Company financing stages reveal a wide salary range, with Series C and Public companies providing the most lucrative packages.

Average bonus component

1. Series D: USD 12,000
2. Late Stage / Growth: USD 34,000
3. Private: USD 10,000
4. Private Equity Owned: USD 12,000
5. Public: USD 34,000

Average equity component

1. Series C: USD 210,000
2. Series D: USD 2,500
3. Late Stage / Growth: USD 17,000
4. Private Equity Owned: USD 40,000
5. Public: USD 49,600

Command higher salary packages as a Head of Legal Operations

There you have the salary report. We hope this offers you transparency and insights into a Head of Legal Operations' salary package in the US.

By understanding these compensation trends, current and aspiring legal executives can better navigate their career paths, armed with knowledge of what to expect and how to position themselves in the evolving market.

The findings underscore the importance of experience, gender parity efforts, geographic location, industry, office setup, and company financing stage in shaping compensation for Heads of Legal Operations.

If you are interested in learning about compensation for other in-house legal professionals such as Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, etc., click here.