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How much do assistant u s attorney jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant u s attorney in the United States is $16.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, active bar membership, and strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills. Familiarity with case management systems, federal court procedures, and legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis is essential. Exceptional analytical thinking, ethical judgment, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for building cases and working with diverse stakeholders. These abilities are vital to uphold justice, manage complex caseloads, and succeed in the high-stakes environment of federal prosecution.

What are some common challenges faced by Assistant U.S. Attorneys in managing their caseloads?

Assistant U.S. Attorneys often handle a high volume of cases, which requires strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. Balancing complex legal research, court appearances, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies can be demanding. Additionally, they must navigate tight deadlines and adapt quickly to new developments in their cases, making time management and resilience essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Assistant U S Attorney vs Deputy U S Attorney?

AspectAssistant U S AttorneyDeputy U S Attorney
CredentialsJuris Doctor, bar admission, federal legal experienceJuris Doctor, bar admission, federal legal experience
Work EnvironmentFederal prosecutors' offices, courtroom, legal researchFederal prosecutors' offices, courtroom, legal research
Employer & IndustryU.S. Department of Justice, federal governmentU.S. Department of Justice, federal government
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Both Assistant U S Attorneys and Deputy U S Attorneys are federal prosecutors working within the U.S. Department of Justice. While their roles are similar, Assistant U S Attorneys are typically the primary prosecutors handling cases, whereas Deputy U S Attorneys often serve as senior deputies supporting or managing cases. Both positions require legal credentials and federal legal experience, and they work in similar environments within federal courts and legal offices.

What are Assistant U.S. Attorneys?

Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) are federal prosecutors who represent the United States government in criminal and civil cases at the district court level. They work for the U.S. Department of Justice within U.S. Attorney's Offices across the country. AUSAs handle a wide range of legal matters, including prosecuting federal crimes, defending the government in civil lawsuits, and enforcing federal laws. They play a vital role in upholding justice and ensuring the fair administration of law in their respective districts.
More about Assistant U S Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Assistant U S Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Assistant U S Attorney job openings:
What states have the most Assistant U S Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Assistant U S Attorney jobs include:
Infographic showing various Assistant U S Attorney job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,745 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Assistant U.S. Attorney (Civil) - Open Continuous

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys

Des Moines, IA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$77K - $197K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 hours ago


Job description

Summary
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa employs approximately 30 Assistant United States Attorneys. The District's headquarters office is located in Des Moines. The District has staffed branch offices in Davenport and Council Bluffs, which serve the District's eastern and western divisions.
More information about the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa can be found at:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia
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Duties
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The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa is seeking two experienced attorneys to serve as Assistant U.S. Attorneys in our Civil Division. These positions are located in Des Moines, Iowa, the state's capital city and the center of one of the Midwest's fastest-growing metropolitan areas. We seek motivated individuals who enjoy handling a broad range of complex cases on behalf of the United States. These matters include defense of claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act, employment discrimination statutes, and commercial litigation. The position also involves affirmative litigation involving fraud, debt collection, real estate foreclosures, bankruptcy, and appeals of administrative determinations involving federal agencies.
Des Moines offers the unique combination of a thriving legal and business community with an outstanding quality of life and affordable cost of living. The metro area is known for its vibrant downtown, nationally recognized restaurants, excellent schools, and welcoming community atmosphere. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy extensive bike trails, nearby lakes and parks, and easy access to recreation throughout central Iowa. Des Moines is also home to a growing arts and cultural scene, professional sports, live music venues, and year-round community events, while still offering short commute times and a family-friendly environment that makes it an exceptional place to live and work. With easy access to major interstates and an international airport, Des Moines combines the advantages of a larger city with the convenience and affordability of a smaller market, making it an outstanding place to live, work, and build a career.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
Residency Requirements: Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district-specific information.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a United States Citizen or National.
  • Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
  • You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
  • J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
  • Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Qualifications
Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least one-year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. At least three years of post-J.D. litigation experience is preferred, with extensive research and writing experience.
Preferred qualifications: Possess superior oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment, and a demonstrated record of integrity. Interested AUSAs or government attorneys must have at least a successful evaluation for the past year. All applicants must be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) and not have received any disciplinary action within the past three years from the date of the application. In addition, applicants must exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies, and the ability to lead, motivate, mentor, and evaluate other highly qualified attorneys.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Education
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
Additional information
Salary Information: Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $77,371 to $197,100 includes locality pay.
Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
Travel: Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.