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ZSA’s extensive network of clients across Canada means we have our finger on the pulse of current salary trends. Contact one of our experienced consultants today for more information on how ZSA can help you find a career that is an accurate reflection of your true value.
Note
Salaries given are averages for each particular city. Within each city, there can be great variation in salaries depending on the firm or organization. These salary tables are for information purposes only.
Toronto Salaries
Private Practice
EXPERIENCE |
LARGE |
MEDIUM |
SMALL |
| 1st year | 100-110k | 80-95k | 65-85k |
| 2nd year | 120-130k | 90-105k | 75-90k |
| 3rd year | 130-150k | 90-110k | 80-100k |
| 4th year | 150-165k | 120-150k | 90-110k |
| 5th year | 155-170k | 130k+ | 100k+ |
| 6th year | 160-190k | 140k+ | 100k+ |
| 7th year | 170-225k | 150k+ | 100k+ |
| Annual Bonus | 10-25% | varies | varies |
**See Reference
In-House
EXPERIENCE |
SALARY |
| 1-4 years | $85-140k |
| 4-6 years | $120-160k |
| 7-10 years | $140-190k |
| 10+ years | $175-300k |
***See Reference
Montreal Salaries
Private Practice
EXPERIENCE |
NATIONAL FIRMS (Regardless of # of lawyers) |
FIRMS WITH 90+ LAWYERS (Excluding National Firms) |
FIRMS WITH 40-90 LAWYERS |
FIRMS WITH 20-40 LAWYERS |
| 1-2 years | 85-108k | 75-90k | 60-85k | 55-70k |
| 3-4 years | 96-120k | 85-110k | 70-90k | 60-85k |
| 5-6 years | 115-160k | 95-120k | 85-110k | 80-105k |
| 7-9 years | 130-185k | 120-160k | 100-130k | 90-125k |
**See Reference
In-House
EXPERIENCE |
SALARY |
| 1-2 years | 60-100k |
| 3-4 years | 70-115k |
| 5-6 years | 90-125k |
| 7-9 years | 110-150k |
| 10+ years | 125-225k+ |
***See Reference
Partners
Considering the impact the type of clientele has on the remuneration, please contact Dominique Tardif in confidence, to further discuss your specific situation at 514-228-2880 Ext. 320, or by email at dtardif@zsa.ca.
*Law firms with less than 20 lawyers are not taken into account when determining the salary range, as it is difficult to set an average due to the discrepancy between salaries of firms this size.
*Excluding partners. The numbers exclude practitioners with a clientele who are receiving additional remuneration.
Vancouver Salaries
Private Practice
EXPERIENCE |
*LARGE |
MEDIUM |
SMALL |
| 1st year | 90-100k | 82-90k | 78-85k |
| 2nd year | 100-115k | 90-100k | 85-95k |
| 3rd year | 115-125k | 100-115k | 95-110k |
| 4th year | 125-135k | 110-125k | 110-120k |
| 5th year | 135-145k | 115-135k | 110-130k |
| 6th year | 155k+ | 130k+ | 125k+ |
**See Reference
* Large firms include leading specialty boutique firms
In-House
EXPERIENCE |
SALARY |
| 1-2 years | 75-85k |
| 3-5 years | 90-110k |
| 5-9+ years | 110-150k |
| 10+ years | 155-250k+ |
***See Reference
Calgary Salaries
Private Practice
EXPERIENCE |
LARGE |
MEDIUM |
SMALL |
| 1st year | 95-105k | 75-90k | 65-80k |
| 2nd year | 105-130k | 90-100k | 80-90k |
| 3rd year | 135-150k | 95-110k | 90-105k |
| 4th year | 140-160k | 110-130k | 100-120k |
| 5th year | 160-180k | 120-140k | 110-130k |
| 6th year | 180-200k | 130k+ | 130k+ |
| 7th year | 200k+ | ||
| Annual Bonus | 0-30% | 0-20% | 0-15% |
**See Reference
In-House
EXPERIENCE |
SALARY |
| 1-2 years | 70-100k |
| 3-5 years | 100-130k |
| 6-9 years | 130-160k |
| 10-12 years | 150-180k |
| 13+ years | 180k+ |
***See Reference
Edmonton Salaries
Private Practice
EXPERIENCE |
LARGE |
MEDIUM |
SMALL |
| 1st year | 45-75k | 40-65k | 35-55k |
| 2nd year | 60-85k | 55-75k | 45-65k |
| 3rd year | 70-95k | 60-85k | 50-75k |
| 4th year | 75-100k | 64-90k | 55-85k |
| 5th year | 85-115k | 70-110k | 75-95k |
| 6th year | 95-125k | 80-125k | 75-100k |
| Annual Bonus | 0-30% | 0-25% | 0-25% |
**See Reference
In-House
EXPERIENCE |
SALARY |
| 1-2 years | 50-75k |
| 3-5 years | 70-140k |
***See Reference
Atlantic Canada Salaries
Private Practice
EXPERIENCE |
LARGE |
SMALL |
| 1st year | 50-55k | 30-45k |
| 2nd year | 55-68k | 40-55k |
| 3rd year | 60-75k | 50-75k |
| 4th year | 60-80k | 60-75k |
| 5th year | 70-90k | 60-80k |
| 6th year | 80-100k | 65-85k |
| 7th year | 90-110k | 75k+ |
**See Reference
*Note
This survey is based on the salaries of lawyers in private practice working in the downtown core.
For purposes of this survey:
SMALL = law firms with less than 50 lawyers.
LARGE = law firms with more than 50 lawyers.
**Note
This survey is based on the salaries of lawyers in private practice working in the downtown core of each respective city.
For purposes of this survey:
SMALL = law firms with less than 50 lawyers not including boutique law firms.
MEDIUM = law firms with 50–125 lawyers, including boutique law firms.
LARGE = law firms with more than 125 lawyers.
***In-House
These salaries are averages only and cannot be categorized as easily due to a variety of factors. These salaries do not include any bonus payments, stock options, pensions or benefits that will increase the all-in package. Most in-house positions will include benefits and options that on average will increase the “all-in” package by 30% to 50%.