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Federal Attorney information

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$46K

$108.2K

$172.5K

How much do federal attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal attorney in the United States is $108,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,000.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are federal attorneys?

Federal attorneys are lawyers who represent the United States government in legal matters at the federal level. They may work for various federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, and handle cases involving federal laws and regulations. Their duties can include prosecuting federal crimes, defending the government in civil lawsuits, and providing legal advice to federal agencies. Federal attorneys play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the government's actions comply with legal standards.

What is the difference between Federal Attorney vs Public Defender?

AspectFederal AttorneyPublic Defender
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar admission, often federal legal certificationsLaw degree, bar admission, specialized in criminal defense
Work EnvironmentFederal courts, government agencies, legal officesPublic defense offices, courts, legal aid organizations
Employer & IndustryFederal government, U.S. Department of Justice, federal agenciesGovernment-funded public defender offices, non-profit legal organizations
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Federal Attorneys and Public Defenders both work within the legal system but serve different roles. Federal Attorneys represent the government in federal cases, focusing on prosecution or legal advice for federal agencies. Public Defenders defend individuals accused of crimes who cannot afford private attorneys. While both require law degrees and bar admission, their work environments and employer types differ significantly, with Federal Attorneys working primarily for government agencies and Public Defenders serving in public defense roles.

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

To thrive as a Federal Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a solid grasp of federal laws, legal research, and litigation practices. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency with case management systems are commonly required. Exceptional analytical thinking, written and verbal communication, and ethical judgment help set outstanding attorneys apart. These skills and qualifications are critical for effectively representing the government, interpreting complex statutes, and ensuring justice within the federal legal system.

What are some common challenges faced by federal attorneys when handling complex cases?

Federal attorneys often manage cases that involve intricate statutes, regulatory frameworks, and high volumes of evidence. One common challenge is coordinating with multiple agencies and stakeholders, which requires strong organizational and communication skills. Additionally, balancing a heavy caseload while keeping up with evolving federal laws can be demanding. Working under tight deadlines and maintaining the highest ethical standards are also integral to success in this role.
More about Federal Attorney jobs
What cities are hiring for Federal Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Federal Attorney job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Federal Attorney jobs? The most popular types of Federal Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Federal Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Federal Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Federal Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Federal Attorney jobs are:
Federal Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Federal Attorney job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,160 per year, or $52 per hour.

Attorney Adviser

Department of Human Services

Kansas City, MO

$147K/yr

Other

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the General Counsel, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.
Salary wage as shown is for the Rest of the U.S. pay scale and does not include locality pay. For specific wage information, refer to the OPM Salary Tables.
This serves as a Public Notice.Qualifications:WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
HHS-wide Attorney Qualification Requirements.
  1. Education Requirement: HHS Attorney positions have a minimum requirement of a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from an accredited school.
  2. Bar Membership: Attorney positions require current active bar membership. Admission to the bar of any State, territory, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, or Federal Court is acceptable. Active bar membership is verified prior to appointment. Employees must maintain active bar membership while employed as an attorney with HHS.
  3. License to Practice Law. A current, valid license with eligibility to practice law in a state, the District of Columbia, or any United States territory or commonwealth is a continuing condition of employment for Federal attorneys.
Additionally
4 years of professional legal experience post bar admission with one year of experience equivalent to the GS-14 level
Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.
Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through national Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.
OPM Qualification General Policies WebsiteEducation:Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov.
Note: Applications can be accepted from students who expect to complete qualifying education within 9 months from the date of application. Education was completed successfully before the applicant can be appointed.Employment Type: OTHER

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