In-house salaries

Anonymous
So I make about $200k in an amazing in-house position in the DC area for a financial firm. My hours are fantastic and the benefits are superb (and the company is very stable). But I see others in law firms and other in-house making double and three times that. Although i love my job and the freedom it entails, because of the company I work in it is unlikely that I will make more than I make now (maybe $30k more but that's it). Is the grass really greener or should I just be content?
Anonymous
$200k is a pretty good rate for in-house, from what I can tell. You likely started at a law firm so you know that it's up or out; unless you can bring your current company's business with you it's not likely you'll have a long career ahead in BigLaw.

If you know of other in-house opportunities that pay $400-600k, you should try to network your way into getting a chance at those positions, but again: sounds pretty farfetched.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:$200k is a pretty good rate for in-house, from what I can tell. You likely started at a law firm so you know that it's up or out; unless you can bring your current company's business with you it's not likely you'll have a long career ahead in BigLaw.

If you know of other in-house opportunities that pay $400-600k, you should try to network your way into getting a chance at those positions, but again: sounds pretty farfetched.


OP here. Yes, I did about 6 years in biglaw before leaving totally burned out. Those higher paying jobs also entail a lot more travel and stress than I have.
Anonymous
Um, this is a non problem. Enjoy your work life balance while making a lot of money.
Anonymous
The in-house jobs that pay 400-600k in the dc area are higher up the food chain at larger companies. AGC-type jobs in legal departments with at least 20-30 lawyers. Those do NOT have good work-life balances.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The in-house jobs that pay 400-600k in the dc area are higher up the food chain at larger companies. AGC-type jobs in legal departments with at least 20-30 lawyers. Those do NOT have good work-life balances.
Eh, I make just above $200k as a young-ish in house attorney. I know my boss makes more than me and he still has an awesome job and a great work-life balance. I don't think he makes $600k, but I wouldn't be surprised if he makes $300-400k easy. He is a DGC at a large company with 50+ attorneys, but he only has a handful of direct reports.
Anonymous
Thats a really good set up. I am at a fortune 500 company and 200k is pretty normal for a mid career in house person with low stress and few direct reports.
Anonymous
How much money does a person need?
Anonymous
I think you have a skewed idea of what other in house folks are making. Where exactly are you 'seeing' these salaries?
Anonymous
I always thought in-house salaries averaged around $150K for line attorney types.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I always thought in-house salaries averaged around $150K for line attorney types.


No, it's usually higher. If someone wanted to make 150K, they could just go be a fed and not have to deal with the uncertainty of the private section. Mid market in house salaries run right around 200-225K a year. GC's usually run between 300-500K with a sizable bonus/equity package.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I always thought in-house salaries averaged around $150K for line attorney types.


No, it's usually higher. If someone wanted to make 150K, they could just go be a fed and not have to deal with the uncertainty of the private section. Mid market in house salaries run right around 200-225K a year. GC's usually run between 300-500K with a sizable bonus/equity package.


It really varies tremendously based on the size of the company and the industry. There are plenty of in-house jobs that are only $150-175k. Plenty pay more too, but OP's gig sounds like a pretty good one.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:How much money does a person need?


That varies widely based on a number of factors, as does the definition of “need.”
Anonymous
You have a good situation.

Are there better-paying, maybe even some with decent work-life balance? Perhaps.

I'm in-house but had to relocate out of DC for the job. Base salary is about $225K, bonus varies depending on corporate profits (has been $30-100K), plus stock options and grants that add up. Good work-life balance. biggest trade off was moving to the midwest, but even that has its perks.
Anonymous
If you had to choose between two nearly identical jobs, would you go in house or fed govt at the top of the GS scale.
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