Maritime Law Lawyer Salary

Maritime Law lawyers earn $88,000 to $235,000+ annually in the United States

$148,000 Average Salary
$132,000 Median Salary
-16% vs National Avg
Low Demand

Maritime Law Salary Snapshot

  • ● Average: $148,000 (-16% vs national)
  • ● Entry → Senior: $88K → $235K
  • ● Top 10%: $295,000+
  • ● Top State: New York ($148K)
  • ● Best Employer: BigLaw (500+ attorneys) ($295K)

Source: BLS, NALP, BCG Research • 2026

Maritime (admiralty) lawyers handle shipping contracts, marine cargo disputes, vessel injuries under the Jones Act, and port operations. Practice concentrated in coastal cities like Houston, New Orleans, and NYC.

Key Industries: Shipping, Transportation, Insurance

Maritime Law Salary by Experience Level

How compensation grows with years of practice

Experience Level Years Average Median Growth
Entry Level 0-2 $88,000 $79,200 —
Mid-Level 3-5 $113,050 $104,975 +28%
Senior 6-10 $235,000 $211,500 +108%
Partner 10+ $295,000 $250,750 +26%
💡
Career Growth Insight: Maritime Law attorneys can increase their salary by 235% from entry-level to partner track, going from $88,000 to $295,000+ over a typical 10-15 year trajectory.

Maritime Law Salary by Employer Type

How compensation varies by firm size and sector

BigLaw (500+ attorneys) $295,000
$225K - $435K
Midsize (50-500 attorneys) $185,000
$155K - $275K
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys) $110,000
$75K - $165K
Solo Practice $85,000
$50K - $150K
In-House Counsel $195,000
$115K - $319K
Government $98,000
$65K - $148K
Public Interest $72,000
$55K - $95K
💡
Employer Insight: BigLaw firms pay 201% more than government positions for Maritime Law attorneys. However, government roles offer job security, pension benefits, and PSLF eligibility for student loan forgiveness.

Maritime Law Lawyer Salary by State

Estimated salaries across all 50 states based on cost of living and market data

1

New York

$166,266
Entry: $99K +12%
2

District of Columbia

$165,302
Entry: $98K +12%
3

California

$153,896
Entry: $92K +4%
4

Massachusetts

$140,058
Entry: $83K -5%
5

Connecticut

$132,929
Entry: $79K -10%
6

Texas

$129,994
Entry: $77K -12%
7

Illinois

$127,478
Entry: $76K -14%
8

New Jersey

$125,381
Entry: $75K -15%
9

Virginia

$124,123
Entry: $74K -16%
10

Washington

$123,704
Entry: $74K -16%
11

Colorado

$121,607
Entry: $72K -18%
12

Maryland

$120,768
Entry: $72K -18%
13

Georgia

$119,930
Entry: $71K -19%
14

Pennsylvania

$118,252
Entry: $70K -20%
15

Delaware

$117,414
Entry: $70K -21%
16

Florida

$116,156
Entry: $69K -22%
17

Nevada

$114,059
Entry: $68K -23%
18

Minnesota

$113,220
Entry: $67K -24%
19

Arizona

$110,704
Entry: $66K -25%
20

Oregon

$109,027
Entry: $65K -26%
21

North Carolina

$107,350
Entry: $64K -27%
22

Ohio

$104,834
Entry: $62K -29%
23

Michigan

$103,156
Entry: $61K -30%
24

Hawaii

$102,318
Entry: $61K -31%
25

Utah

$100,640
Entry: $60K -32%
26

Tennessee

$98,963
Entry: $59K -33%
27

Rhode Island

$98,963
Entry: $59K -33%
28

Alaska

$98,963
Entry: $59K -33%
29

Missouri

$96,447
Entry: $57K -35%
30

New Hampshire

$96,447
Entry: $57K -35%
31

Wisconsin

$95,608
Entry: $57K -35%
32

Indiana

$93,931
Entry: $56K -37%
33

Louisiana

$93,931
Entry: $56K -37%
34

South Carolina

$92,254
Entry: $55K -38%
35

Alabama

$90,576
Entry: $54K -39%
36

New Mexico

$90,576
Entry: $54K -39%
37

Kentucky

$88,899
Entry: $53K -40%
38

Iowa

$88,060
Entry: $52K -41%
39

Vermont

$88,060
Entry: $52K -41%
40

Nebraska

$87,222
Entry: $52K -41%
41

Kansas

$86,383
Entry: $51K -42%
42

Oklahoma

$85,544
Entry: $51K -42%
43

Maine

$85,544
Entry: $51K -42%
44

Idaho

$83,867
Entry: $50K -43%
45

Arkansas

$82,190
Entry: $49K -44%
46

North Dakota

$81,351
Entry: $48K -45%
47

Montana

$80,512
Entry: $48K -46%
48

Wyoming

$79,674
Entry: $47K -46%
49

West Virginia

$79,674
Entry: $47K -46%
50

South Dakota

$78,835
Entry: $47K -47%
High Paying Average Below Average

Estimates based on BLS state wage data and cost of living adjustments. Actual salaries may vary by firm, experience, and specialization.

Maritime Law Market Facts

Key information about this practice area

📉
Low
Demand Level
📈
+3%
Job Growth (10yr)
🏢
Shipping
Top Industry
⚖
Moderate
Work-Life Balance

Law School ROI for Maritime Law

How long to pay off student loans in this practice area

🎓
$130,000 Avg Law School Debt
📅
5.9 years Payoff at Practice Avg
💰
$1,480/mo Standard Payment

Payoff Timeline by Employer Type

Assuming 15% of gross income allocated to loan repayment

BigLaw
2.9 years
Maritime Law Avg
5.9 years
Government
8.8 yrs (PSLF: 10 yrs)

Similar Practice Areas

Compare salaries in related legal specialties

International Law

$172,000
+16% vs Maritime Law
$105K - $275K

Litigation

$147,734
+-0% vs Maritime Law
$95K - $250K

Insurance Law

$128,000
-14% vs Maritime Law
$78K - $205K

Frequently Asked Questions About Maritime Law Salaries

How much do Maritime Law lawyers make?

Maritime Law lawyers earn an average salary of $148,000 per year in the United States. Entry-level Maritime Law attorneys start at around $88,000, while experienced senior attorneys can earn $235,000 or more. The top 10% of earners make over $295,000 annually.

What is the starting salary for a Maritime Law lawyer?

Entry-level Maritime Law lawyers typically earn between $61,599 and $225,000 depending on employer type. BigLaw firms pay around $225,000 for first-year associates, while smaller firms and government positions start lower at $65,000 to $75,000.

Which states pay Maritime Law lawyers the most?

Major legal markets like New York, California, and Washington D.C. typically pay Maritime Law lawyers the highest salaries.

Is Maritime Law law in demand?

Maritime Law law is currently in low demand with projected job growth of 3% over the next decade. Key industries driving demand include Shipping, Transportation, Insurance.

How much do Maritime Law partners make?

Maritime Law partners at major law firms can earn $295,000 or more annually. Equity partners at top BigLaw firms may earn $1 million to $5 million or more, while partners at smaller firms typically earn $300,000 to $600,000. Partner compensation varies significantly based on firm size, location, and origination credit.

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