Everyone wants to say they hate lawyers, and yet I've never met a parent who didn't want their kid to be a lawyer.
Jessi Klein
Students, graduates, and professionals should all understand how much those in the legal sector are paid. Whether you're interested in comparing different specialisations and roles or considering options for a degree, salaries come into it. Here, we'll explore the average lawyer salaries in Ireland and how much you can expect to earn.
| Type of Lawyer | Typical Salary Range (€) |
|---|---|
| Junior Solicitor (Regional) | 27,000–42,000 |
| Junior Solicitor (Dublin) | 58,000–67,000 |
| Commercial/Corporate Lawyer | 70,000–120,000 |
| Barrister (Newly Qualified) | 25,000–60,000 |
| Barrister (Experienced) | 80,000–300,000+ |
| Law Firm Partner | 100,000+ (equity partners earn more) |
What Makes a Career in Law So Appealing in Ireland?
In today's society, lawyers are often viewed as despicable individuals. This is because attorneys have a reputation for lying, charging clients obscene hourly rates for legal services, and lacking any admirable morals. Law is one of the most popular choices amongst university students across the country and abroad. In fact, the number of students choosing to pursue a legal education has been on an upward trajectory for many years now, with demand somewhat consistent amongst CAO applicants each year.
Even with its demanding reputation, law continues to attract thousands of CAO applicants each year. The combination of job security, respected professional status, and strong long-term earnings keeps it one of Ireland’s most competitive university choices.
It’s no secret that many of these students who put the law down as a preference on their college application each year do so with the attractive financial incentive in mind. The majority of law degrees offered across Ireland’s universities are three- or four-year courses. This means it will take even the brightest students considerable time to graduate.
Even after you graduate, you will need to complete your law exams, which will take a few more years, depending on how many exams you decide to sit for at a time. The road to becoming a lawyer is a long one, and evidently comes with considerable barriers to entry before we begin to consider the college tuition that will undoubtedly start to rack up over your years of study, regardless of where you decide to study.
The accompanying salary justifies this long and expensive journey to becoming a qualified lawyer. An experienced lawyer will earn a substantial amount of money almost anywhere in the world, and there will always be a demand for their services. In this article, I will take a look at the salary of a lawyer across the island of Ireland, and give you an idea of what you can expect to earn after your studies. Hopefully, this will provide you with the motivation you need to knuckle down at school and pass your exams!
Some of these stereotypes may be true in certain situations, but we cannot be dogmatic. There are plenty of lawyers working throughout the country who are genuinely interested in the welfare of others, conducting many pro-bono and civil rights cases. Above all, no parent would not be beaming with joy to have a qualified lawyer in the family. A lawyer is synonymous with success, academic achievement and big salaries.
Although lawyers are often portrayed negatively, the profession in Ireland is built on rigorous ethical standards, client protection, and a strong culture of pro-bono work. Many solicitors and barristers dedicate significant time to civil rights, advocacy, and community support, which plays an important role in maintaining public trust.
Why Lawyer Salaries Differ Across Ireland
Just like the price of rent for apartments depends on where you live, the salary that a lawyer receives for their work also varies to some degree. Law courses and exams are the most expensive in big cities. This is often because there tends to be greater demand and more prestigious universities, but also because travel costs to reach your lessons are higher, as are general living costs.
One reason Lawyers earn more in cities such as Dublin is the higher cost of living. The salary of a lawyer or any profession, for that matter, will likely reflect the cost of living in that respective area. The salary must also incentivise students to pursue an education in the field if the country is going to meet the demand for the service.
Students in slightly smaller cities will be delighted to find that prices tend to decrease as city size decreases. You will therefore see a difference in the cost of law degrees between cities such as New York, London, Toronto, and Sydney, and smaller towns within the same country.
Being a lawyer is a rewarding vocation, and the base salary isn't bad either. The average salaries are considerably higher than in a lot of jobs, and the annual mean wage is pretty good. Lawyers in Ireland have some of the highest average salaries in the world. However, you do have to complete more than just a law degree to become a qualified legal professional in Ireland.
Legal work requires extensive training, long hours, and deep expertise across complex areas of law. These factors, combined with consistent demand for legal services, push salaries higher than in many other graduate professions in Ireland.
Of course, in Ireland, lawyers work an average of about 63.3 hours per week, which should also be factored in. This is another worthwhile consideration when we are trying to arrive at a salary for lawyers across the country. Attorneys spend much of their postsecondary studies reading and examining books to become skilled in their craft.
hours per week.
While some parents want their children to grow up and become lawyers for a higher status in society, others believe that becoming an attorney means a high-paying job and, therefore, a better life for their offspring. Barristers are logical and analytical individuals who represent clients in court. They advise clients on their cases, prepare legal arguments, cross-examine witnesses and negotiate appropriate settlements. Barristers have many different tasks, but above all, they are experts in the law.
Barrister income varies widely because many work as self-employed professionals. Their earnings depend on reputation, case complexity, client base, and the area of law they specialise in, which is why top barristers can command exceptionally high fees.
Solicitor Salary Ireland: What You Can Expect to Earn
In Ireland, a solicitor earns a sizable salary; the amount that you can make will depend on your experience. Solicitors require more education than barristers, but it is worth noting that they do not earn more. Despite what you might have thought, the salaries of solicitors are often lower than those of barristers. For example, the starting salary range for qualified solicitors in a regional firm or small private practice is between €27,000 and €42,000.
On the other hand, for solicitors who have moved to the country’s thriving capital city of Dublin, starting salaries in the city's commercial firms can range anywhere from €58,000 to €67,000 per year. If you are thinking about becoming a solicitor, or are actively studying to become one, I hope this has captured your attention.
What is even more baffling is the salary offered by some of the county’s larger firms. In the more prestigious city firms in Dublin, they are often prepared to provide a starting salary of over €80,000 per year for highly talented solicitors.
according to recent recruitment data.
After many years of hard work and experience, being named partner in a law firm is synonymous with an increase in pay. Those named partners can earn an annual salary of over €100,000. Equity partners also share in the firm's profits, which is more money.
Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that many share the same idea of going to the bigger cities to find legal jobs with big, fat salaries. With that said, those with specialised skills and relevant work experience will shine brighter than the rest. It's a very competitive field and being the best means the highest salary. As a young solicitor, long hours during evenings and weekends are essential to prove yourself qualified for promotions and additional responsibilities.
Similarly, the same work ethic is required if you want to become a barrister. To become a qualified and working barrister, much training is required. There are three mandatory steps of post-secondary education that one needs to pass through to meet the requirements of a professional barrister:
based on current salary reports.
A qualifying law degree from a viable university is just the start. Those who have completed their pupillage and can only then look for work as qualified barristers can earn anywhere between €25,000 and €300,000 a year. This depends on skills, training, the law firm's location, reputation, and the type of employer.
Solicitors
- Work in law firms or organisations with structured career paths.
- Provide legal advice, prepare documents, and manage cases.
- Salaries are more predictable, with strong growth through promotions.
- Regional firms offer lower starting pay; Dublin commercial firms pay much higher.
- Daily work focuses on drafting, negotiation, and client communication.
Barristers
- Work mainly as self-employed specialists in courtroom advocacy.
- Earnings vary widely depending on reputation, experience, and case volume.
- Newly qualified barristers often start with modest income; top barristers earn very high fees.
- Receive case referrals from solicitors rather than managing clients directly.
- Focus on advocacy, specialist legal opinions, and courtroom strategy.
How Lawyers Supplement Their Income in Ireland
There are also ways that you can supplement this salary if it doesn’t tickle your fancy. Many practising lawyers also provide services outside the office, such as teaching college students or giving private lessons to students looking to catch up or get ahead for their college or professional law exams.
If you head to Superprof, for example, you can offer face-to-face, online, or group tutorials to enthusiastic students who want to learn a new language. You’ll also be able to decide upon your rates. However, you do need to consider what the competition is charging. Even for an experienced tutor teaching law, there’s a lot of competition out there.
You need to be very sensible when setting your rates, and they should align with your experience, qualifications, and reputation as a tutor. On average, tutors charge between €25 and €60 per hour for law sessions, but this will also vary according to where you teach. Due to the cost of living, tutorials in Dublin tend to cost more than elsewhere in Ireland.
If you work 25 hours a week (excluding preparation time), you could earn between €1,250 and €2,000. Do everything you can to make your lessons appealing. When it comes to private tutoring jobs, there is no maximum salary, since you can charge as much as your students are willing to pay. If you want a salary increase, you need to make sure your tutorials are worth it! The salary range for private tutors is much wider, too. Your wage will depend on your level of education, skills, and other factors. Still working on your law degree?
Career Progression and Long-Term Earning Potential for Lawyers in Ireland
Early-career salaries from across the legal professions vary wildly. The long-term earning potential in the Irish legal profession increases dramatically with specialisation, experience, and career choices. Solicitors generally begin their careers in general practice before gaining exposure to areas like conveyancing, employment law, family law, or litigation. As they progress, they can move into a niche like commercial, corporate, intellectual property, tax, or regulatory law. Commercial and corporate specialists, particularly those in Dublin, earn salaries at the top end of the averages.
Barristers can boost their earnings with a good reputation. Their first years might be more financially challenging. However, those with strong advocacy skills and a track record in areas such as commercial law, criminal defence, chancery, or family law will see their salaries rise.
Private practice, in-house roles, and public sector careers all come with different salaries. In-house legal teams tend to enjoy better stability and more predictable earnings. Private practice comes with a higher top end but can also come with longer hours and higher client expectations.
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