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$70K

$103.6K

$155K

How much do attorney general jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for attorney general in the United States is $103,584.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $132,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Attorney General?

An Attorney General is the chief legal officer of a state, country, or government. They represent the government in legal matters, provide legal advice to government agencies, and oversee the enforcement of laws. In the United States, each state has its own Attorney General, and there is also a U.S. Attorney General who leads the Department of Justice. Their responsibilities can include prosecuting cases, protecting consumers, and defending the state or federal government in court.

What Is an Attorney General?

An Attorney General is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer to the government. The United States Attorney General is a Cabinet member and the head of the Department of Justice. Each state also has its own Attorney General. Attorneys General are either elected or appointed to their position. Job duties include providing legal counsel and representing the government in legal matters. They are also responsible for overseeing the enforcement of laws and prosecuting violators as the head of a Department of Justice. Departments of Justice typically include different divisions, for instance, criminal, civil, and law enforcement divisions. Many positions exist working under an Attorney General at the state and federal Departments of Justice, including attorneys, investigators, researchers, law enforcement officers, and paralegals. Support roles are also available, for example, in information technology and office administration.

What are some common challenges faced by an Attorney General in balancing legal responsibilities with political considerations?

An Attorney General often encounters the challenge of maintaining impartiality while providing legal advice and enforcing laws that may have significant political implications. Balancing the public interest, upholding the law, and sometimes navigating pressure from government officials or political parties can be complex. Staying committed to ethical standards, transparency, and independence is crucial for earning public trust and effectively fulfilling the role. Collaboration with various government agencies and legal teams is also essential to ensure thorough analysis and sound decision-making.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Attorney General, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Attorney General, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, extensive legal experience, and a deep understanding of constitutional and administrative law. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management systems, and government regulatory tools is essential. Exceptional leadership, public communication, and ethical decision-making skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for effectively interpreting laws, providing legal guidance, and protecting the public interest at the highest level of state or federal government.

What is the difference between Attorney General vs District Attorney?

AspectAttorney GeneralDistrict Attorney
Primary RoleStatewide legal authority, representing the state in legal mattersLocal legal authority, prosecuting crimes within a specific district or county
Work EnvironmentState government offices, courts, legal departmentsCounty courthouses, local government offices, courtrooms
Required CredentialsLaw degree, licensed attorney, often political appointment or electionLaw degree, licensed attorney, elected or appointed at local level
Industry UsageState government, legal system, public policyLocal government, criminal justice system

The Attorney General and District Attorney roles both require legal expertise and licensure, but differ mainly in scope and jurisdiction. The Attorney General handles statewide legal issues, while the District Attorney focuses on prosecuting crimes within a specific district or county. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the legal field.

More about Attorney General jobs
What cities are hiring for Attorney General jobs? Cities with the most Attorney General job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Attorney General jobs? The most popular types of Attorney General jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Attorney General jobs? The top employers for Attorney General jobs are:
What states have the most Attorney General jobs? States with the most job openings for Attorney General jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Attorney General jobs? For Attorney General jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Attorney General jobs near you
Infographic showing various Attorney General job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,584 per year, or $49.8 per hour.
Assistant Attorney General - Regional Counsel - Urbana

Assistant Attorney General - Regional Counsel - Urbana

Illinois Attorney General

Springfield, IL • On-site

$84K - $107K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Salary: $84,480.00 - $107,550.00 Annually
Location : Urbana. IL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-AAG-REG-EST-URB
Administration: Chief Deputy - Attorney General
Bureau: East Central IL Regional Office
Opening Date: 09/23/2025
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities
The Illinois Attorney General's Office is seeking an attorney with sound judgment and excellent research and writing skills to work in the Urbana regional office.
Perform advanced legal work in the Attorney General's Office and related work as required. Represent the Attorney General in legal proceedings as assigned. Represent the Attorney General in court cases. The work is performed under the professional direction of the Regional Counsel and the Division Chief of the Consumer Protection Division.
• Prepares and tries cases in various courts.
• Furnishes information on inquiries and complaints submitted to the Attorney General's Office.
• Takes statements from witnesses and participates in various hearings when requested by State officials.
• Represents the Attorney General in various outreach activities in the region.
Qualifications
Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence; knowledge of State, federal and general municipal laws including accepted legal or court interpretations; knowledge of the organization, functions and legal limitations on the authority of the various State departments; knowledge of the principles of civil law. Strong candidates will be skilled in analyzing, appraising and organizing facts, evidence and precedent and in presenting such materials effectively orally and in writing.
Attorney candidates must be licensed by the State of Illinois at the time of application. Experienced attorneys are strongly encouraged to apply.
Supplemental Information
Salary: Salaries are commensurate with number of years of practice as a licensed attorney and range from $ 84,480 to $ 107,550.
To ensure full consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and a writing sample. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us:
Attn: Thor Y. Inouye
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
115 S. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 814-3695
(312) 814-5024 (Fax)
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.
As an employee of the Illinois Attorney General's Office, you'll have access to many great benefits. Join the legal team responsible for protecting the public interest of the state and the people of Illinois!
  • Health and Dental insurance along with free Vision insurance*
  • Pension Benefits through the State Employees'; Retirement System
  • Deferred Compensation: supplemental retirement savings program-457k
  • Commuter Savings Program: pre-tax transportation program
  • Flexible Spending: Medical and Dependent pre-tax savings program
  • Life insurance benefit: free with option to purchase additional (up to 8 x your annual salary) at low cost. Spouse and child life insurance available
  • Disability coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program through ComPsych
  • Holidays: 13 1/2 paid
  • Vacation days: minimum of 12 days, maximum of 27 days, prorated
  • Personal days: 4 annually
  • Floating Holiday: 1 annually
  • Sick days: 1 per month
  • For attorneys, office provided Continuing Legal Education
  • Semi-monthly payroll

*Health and Dental cost ranges: for single: $131.00 - $314.00 monthly; for family: $299.00 - $653.00 monthly
For more information on benefits:

Apply