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In collaboration with In-House Connect, we conducted a comprehensive survey to map out the compensation landscape for in-house legal counsel across the United States.
Engaging with over 850 legal professionals, including nearly 160 Senior Corporate Counsel, we've gathered detailed data on what shapes their earnings.
This report delves into the average compensation for a Senior Corporate Counsel role, examining the impact of various factors on their pay—including experience, gender, geographic location, industry, workplace environment, and the company's financing stage.
Continue reading as we explore the findings on in-house Senior Corporate Counsel salaries and uncover the trends that define their compensation.
On average, a Senior Corporate Counsel makes USD 282,568
This figure reflects base salary, bonus earnings, and equity options, adjusted for location, years of experience, gender, industry, work setup, and the company's financial phase.
In comparison, a Legal Operations Manager’s compensation touches USD 184,269 and an Associate General Counsel’s compensation reaches USD 364,217, on average.
Salary components
Average base salary: USD 199,386
Base salary is central to the compensation of a Senior Corporate Counsel, underlining their key position in addressing corporate legal matters.
This figure is 51% higher than a Legal Operations Manager’s base compensation and 12% lower than what is offered to an Associate General Counsel.
Average target bonus: USD 36,160
The average target bonus for a Senior Corporate Counsel figure is 162% higher than a Legal Operations Manager’s bonus component and 22% lower than what is offered to an Associate General Counsel.
Average equity component: USD 47,021
At USD 47,021, a Senior Corporate Counsel’s equity component is 22% higher than a Legal Operations Manager’s equity component and 49% lower than what is offered to an Associate General Counsel.
As per our survey, the highest salary for a Senior Corporate Counsel was found to be USD 969,000—including all components—in New York.
Salary insights by years of experience (YOE)
More experience not only increases the base salary but also affects bonuses and equity components.
As per our data, the average base salary peaked for individuals in the 16 to 20-year range. Similar to base compensation, individuals in the 16 to 20-year range bagged the highest bonus components.
The average work experience among Senior Corporate Counsel stood at 16 years.
Gender-based compensation for Senior Corporate Counsel
Examining the compensation elements for Senior Corporate Counsel, by gender, reveals a minimal disparity.
On average, male Senior Corporate Counsel make 2% more than their female counterparts.
The path towards pay parity looks promising, as shown below:
Geographic locations play a role in determining a Senior Corporate Counsel’s compensation
The data highlights geographic location as a key determinant of a Senior Corporate Counsel’s total compensation. These numbers highlight the value of local living costs and the varying demand for legal expertise in different cities.
Senior Corporate Counsel from Austin reported the highest base component at USD 276,000.
Industry influence on a Senior Corporate Counsel’s salary
The diversity in compensation for Senior Corporate Counsel across industry sectors is pronounced.
Transportation leads with the highest base salary of USD 256,000, and Real Estate & Construction offers the most substantial equity component at USD 147,800, reflecting the varied pay landscape across industries.
The impact of office setup on a Senior Corporate Counsel’s salary
Hybrid work arrangements offer the highest average base salary at USD 201,466. On-site positions stand out with bonuses and equity options.
Compensation based on the financing stage of a company
Exploring the average base compensation reveals how salaries evolve across various stages of company development, from early Series A to established public entities—illustrating the financial progression for professionals within these organizations.
Average bonus component
- Series A: USD 15,806
- Series B: USD 18,750
- Series C: USD 16,000
- Series D: USD 11,400
- Late Stage/Growth: USD 23,855
- Private: USD 36,435
- Private Equity Owned: USD 37,486
- Public: USD 42,311
Average equity component
Late Stage/Growth and Series C companies stand out for their high equity offerings, highlighting the chance for long-term rewards.
- Series B: USD 15,000
- Series C: USD 124,475
- Series D: USD 89,224
- Late Stage/Growth: USD 133,909
- Private: USD 11,129
- Private Equity Owned: USD 13,286
- Public: USD 50,541
Maximize your earnings as a Senior Corporate Counsel
This guide is designed to help Senior Corporate Counsel in the US understand how well their peers are paid, focusing on all parts of a compensation package.
It gives Senior Corporate Counsel and those aiming for this role the knowledge they need to plan their careers better. They can learn about current pay trends and how to improve their position in a dynamic job market.
Our study points out how experience, efforts towards gender equality, where they are in the US, the type of industry, their work setting preferences, and their company's financial health play a big role in deciding what Senior Corporate Counsel earn.
Explore pay details for other in-house legal roles, such as General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Legal Operations Manager, etc.
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