Secondary Market Pay scale Forum

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 3:41 pm

Does anyone know what the pay scale is for biglaw in secondary markets?

I'm sure it varies widely, but I'm specifically looking for any info on Pittsburgh or Cleveland firms. I have offers in both cities and I would love to know what associates make down the road. Specifically, Jones Day, BakerHostetler, Reed Smith, and K&L. Thanks to anyone and everyone!

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 3:59 pm

My buddy is a 5th year in a different secondary market, and he says he makes slightly more than a first year in NY. His firm starts 1st years at 120k though, so I would imagine somewhere like Baker Cleveland that starts at 130k would end up paying a little more.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 5:40 pm

thanks for that! does anyone else have any insight? even in other cities, which would likely provide similar data points

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 12:38 pm

bump--for Pittsburgh firms

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 2:26 pm

Fourth years in Atlanta, which pays $135k base, make $152k.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 2:27 pm

Bump for Minneapolis.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 2:37 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Fourth years in Atlanta, which pays $135k base, make $152k.

That's actually pretty surprising to me. I knew it wouldn't approach the NYC scale, but I assumed it would be at least a 5% raise every year

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 3:07 pm

Big firms in Nashville have moved to $120,000 starting (signing bonus/moving expenses on top of this). Most are still at $110,000.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 3:16 pm

In terms of starting salaries I know in Pittsburgh starting market for the largest firms is between 135-145, but I have no idea where it goes from there

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 4:28 pm

This is sort of crazy to me that Pittsburgh and Cleveland start like 20k higher than Minneapolis, which has a higher Fortune 500 presence, bigger metro population, and always ranks as one of the most desirable cities to live (at least for bikers).

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 4:40 pm

I've never been to Minneapolis but I've never heard of it being a more desirable place to live than Pittsburgh (maybe Cleveland, though). In any case, I don't get why the starting salaries are so much lower there than other midwest cities

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 4:43 pm

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc ... is/384975/

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 4:46 pm

A partner at another Midwest regional firm (in a different city, but with similar starting pay to what's been listed for Pittsburgh) told me that in his final year as an associate before making partner, he made ~$260k total (salary + bonuses).

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 5:02 pm

It will be very tough for you to get hard answers because most secondary markets have non-lockstep compensation. As a result, even within a single firm in a single market, compensation among senior associates can vary widely.

That said, secondary markets are very compressed. Think 3-10% increases in total comp each year (often closer to low end).

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 5:12 pm

Anonymous User wrote:A partner at another Midwest regional firm (in a different city, but with similar starting pay to what's been listed for Pittsburgh) told me that in his final year as an associate before making partner, he made ~$260k total (salary + bonuses).

That is a super high number that I would not expect--I assume that is on like an 8-10 year partner track?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 5:13 pm

Anonymous User wrote:http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc ... is/384975/

You'll have to show this to the partners of Minneapolis firms and let me know how it goes

Jchance · Post by **Jchance** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:53 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Bump for Minneapolis.

starting salary is moving to $120k recently

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:06 pm

Is Detroit still considered 110? Or is it 105?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 1:21 am

Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:A partner at another Midwest regional firm (in a different city, but with similar starting pay to what's been listed for Pittsburgh) told me that in his final year as an associate before making partner, he made ~$260k total (salary + bonuses).
That is a super high number that I would not expect--I assume that is on like an 8-10 year partner track?

Correct. Sounded great to me, too.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:24 am

I am at one of the first mention in the OP. I start at $140. From what I've heard some people do not get a raise every year. Some people do. I'd imaigine that overall compensation would be like 200k+ by time you are in your fourth year, but I have no idea really.

kcam1991 · Post by **kcam1991** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 10:30 am

Does anyone know the typical Miami payraise schedule?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Wed Sep 23, 2015 10:41 am

Anonymous User wrote:I am at one of the first mention in the OP. I start at $140. From what I've heard some people do not get a raise every year. Some people do. I'd imaigine that overall compensation would be like 200k+ by time you are in your fourth year, but I have no idea really.

Interesting--I thought just about every firm raised salaries on a yearly basis

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:36 pm

Starting salary is 135k in Atlanta, but a few offices start at 150k.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:41 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Is Detroit still considered 110? Or is it 105?

Not sure exactly. there has been some movement recently but somewhere between 105 and 110 is the average starting salary. I know Foley detroit starts at 140, i think it's modified lock-step from there. So probably by your 4th year you're above 200. I would expect Jones Day to match that. Not sure what Gunderson will do.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:04 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Starting salary is 135k in Atlanta, but a few offices start at 150k.

Namely, Paul Hastings and Jones Day. Perhaps some others as well?

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