Law (Pre-Law to J.D. and the Bar)
Law trains lawyers who advise clients, draft documents and represent people, businesses and governments. In the U.S. law is a graduate degree: a bachelor's in any field, three years of law school (J.D.), then a state bar admission.
Where Law (Pre-Law to J.D. and the Bar) can lead
A field of study is not one job. These are the occupations BLS tracks for this pathway, with median annual pay (May 2025) and projected change in employment (2025–35); total U.S. employment is projected to grow 3.5%.
| Occupation | Median pay | Outlook | Openings / year | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | $159,670 | +5% Faster than average |
28,700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Paralegals and legal assistants | $62,890 | 0% Little or no change |
40,800 | Associate's degree |
Median: half of workers earned more, half earned less. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, checked 2026-10-07.
Key numbers to know
What lawyers earn
Pay varies widely with experience, employer and location. BLS figures for May 2025.
Often new graduates
Half earned more, half less
Often senior or specialized roles
Median pay by industry
| Industry | Share of jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Legal services | 52% | $157,870 |
| Local government | 8% | $131,390 |
| State government | 7% | $115,330 |
| Federal government | 5% | $178,380 |
Where they work: 11% of lawyers are self-employed.
Source: BLS, lawyers (pay and work environment tabs).
What the work is really like
From O*NET, which surveys people working in the job. Most work full time and some more than 40 hours a week; they may travel to meet clients and appear in court.
Common tasks
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
What workers report
| Share of workers who… | Share |
|---|---|
| Have constant contact with others | |
| Work more than 40 hours a week | |
| Face time pressure at least weekly (not daily) | |
| Deal with unpleasant or angry people at least weekly |
Technology used on the job
Interests that fit this work (Holland codes): Enterprising, Conventional, Investigative. Source: O*NET OnLine, 23-1011.00, checked 2026-10-07.
How to get there, step by step
A typical route. Many people reach the same job in different ways.
- Step 1
Read, write, argue
Writing-heavy classes and debate or mock trial.
- Step 2
Bachelor's + LSAT/GRE
Strong grades in any major; most schools require a test.
- Step 3
J.D.
Usually 3 years full time at an ABA-accredited school.
- Step 4
MPRE + bar exam
Ethics exam plus the bar in your jurisdiction (NextGen UBE rolling out).
- Goal
Admission to the bar
Character and fitness review, then you can practice in that state.
High school preparation
- English and writing-heavy courses
- History, government and economics
- Debate, mock trial or Model UN
- Reading complex texts and building arguments
Course suggestions are Margdarshan's guidance; what you can take depends on your school. See the high school guide for GPA, AP and dual enrollment.
Degrees and what you study
About 7 years of full-time study after high school: 4 years of college and 3 years of law school. Most law schools do not require a specific major.
Costs and aid: see College & Money. Important qualities BLS lists for lawyers: analytical skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, persuasion, problem-solving skills, research skills.
Admission to the bar (lawyer)
Granted by each jurisdiction's highest court / bar admission authority. Bar admission is granted state by state. Which bar exam is given, passing scores and score transfer rules all vary by jurisdiction.
Why demand is changing
BLS expects demand for legal work to grow with the economy as individuals, businesses and all levels of government need legal services.
Faster than average
Lawyers
Average over the decade, including replacements
Studying from outside the U.S.? Education and immigration are separate pathways — see the international student guide.
Advice for getting in
Margdarshan's guidance, based on the data above.
- Pick the state early: bar admission is state by state, and exam formats are changing (legacy UBE ends February 2028).
- Expect long weeks — 66% of lawyers told O*NET they work more than 40 hours.
- Pay is very spread out: the lowest 10% earned under $78,360 and the highest 10% over $351,600 (BLS, May 2025).
Frequently asked questions
Related career pathways
Where these facts come from
Official sources only, checked on the dates shown.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Lawyers checked 2026-10-07
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Paralegals and legal assistants checked 2026-10-07
- O*NET OnLine: 23-1011.00 · U.S. Department of Labor checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates via the BLS Public Data API checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Outlook Handbook · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics checked 2026-10-07
- NextGen Bar Exam · National Conference of Bar Examiners checked 2026-10-07
- Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) · National Conference of Bar Examiners checked 2026-10-07
- Legal ed council extends test-optional admissions variance · ABA Journal (American Bar Association) checked 2026-10-07