▲14%
$200,000
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
25%
$165k
MEDIAN
$200k
75%
$285k
The average salary for a General Counsel is $200,000 in 2025
Base Salary
$165k - $285k
Bonus
$0 - $10k
Total Pay
$165k - $285k
Is Average Mid-Career General Counsel with Contract Negotiation Skills Salary in Chicago, Illinois your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
EXPLORE BY:
Featured Content
‹
Remote Work
New research shows how to set pay for remote employees
Gender Pay Gap
New research shows that each woman experiences the disparity of gender pay gap in different ways, depending on her position, age, race and education.
Compensation Best Practices Report
From compensation planning to variable pay to pay equity analysis, we surveyed 4,900+ organizations on how they manage compensation.
Salary Budget Survey Report
See how organizations are shifting their salary budgets this year.
Retention Report
Get strategies you can use to retain top talent and learn how impactful employee retention really is.
Variable Pay Playbook
Before you decide whether variable pay is right for your org, get a deeper understanding of the variable pay options and the cultural impact of pay choices.
›
What is the Pay by Experience Level for General Counsels?
▲5%
What Do General Counsels Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a General Counsel
Medical
80%
Dental
80%
Vision
80%
None
20%
Gender Breakdown for General Counsels
Male
50.0%
Female
25.0%
Prefer to self-define
25.0%
This data is based on 4 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About General Counsels
What is the highest pay for General Counsels in Chicago?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a General Counsel in Chicago is $NaN / year
What is the lowest pay for General Counsels in Chicago?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a General Counsel in Chicago is $NaN / year
How can General Counsels increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a General Counsel is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a General Counsel that oversees more junior General Counsels, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.