BigLaw Survey: Record Salaries, But Associates Log 13-Hour Days
New Above the Law data shows BigLaw associates earn more but still face intense 13-hour workdays.
Why it matters: Heavy workloads and high billing expectations, despite rising pay, put sustained pressure on associates’ health and job satisfaction. Legal leaders tracking attrition or shaping law firm strategy risk missing critical signs if they focus only on pay increases while productivity demands stay high.
- First-year BigLaw associates reached $225,000 base pay in 2025, up from $125,000 in 2000.
- Milbank associates averaged 13-hour workdays, the longest among surveyed firms.
- Most firms expect 1,550–1,950 billable hours annually from associates.
- King & Spalding set a 2,400-hour 'productive' target, with 2,000 billable hours required.
Above the Law’s recent analysis puts a spotlight on the paradox confronting top law firms: salary climbs haven’t curbed high workloads. Entry-level associates at major U.S. firms now start at $225,000, an 80% surge since 2000.
- Despite headline salaries, billable hour quotas still dominate. Most surveyed associates reported between 1,550 and 1,950 billable hours annually—still a hefty load, even if down from the 2021 high.
- Milbank stood out: its lawyers put in over 13 hours per day on average, leading the field in hours worked, per Above the Law’s 2025 report—the majority of which are spent on billable tasks, the industry’s main measure of productivity.
- King & Spalding expects associates to reach 2,400 'productive' hours, with at least 2,000 billable—meaning non-billable work like training or pro bono counts, but real time demands remain high (details).
Billable hour requirements—typically defined as hours directly charged to clients—remain central to most BigLaw firms, shaping bonuses and even job security. Associates note these targets create a culture of constant availability. As one midlevel put it, the pressure isn’t just about time in the office: “There is no real off switch. Even when I’m not billing, I’m waiting for the next request.”
Rising salaries and bonuses may help firms attract talent, but industry observers and insiders say the unrelenting time demands fuel burnout and can undermine retention, with many junior lawyers weighing early exits or transitions to in-house roles. While some firms discuss tech-driven solutions or alternative billing, Above the Law’s reporting highlights how the traditional model still dominates in 2025.
By the numbers:
- $225,000 — 2025 base salary for first-year BigLaw associates
- 80% — Salary growth since 2000 for new associates in major firms
- 1,550–1,950 — Average yearly billable hours required by most BigLaw firms
Yes, but: Survey data relies on self-reported hours from associates, which may not capture variations across offices, practice groups, or individual circumstances. A broader dataset from firm-wide reporting could clarify whether these workload trends are universal or concentrated in select departments.
What's next: Firm leaders and industry analysts are expected to revisit billable hour policies during annual compensation reviews later this year.