The 2026 Cravath Scale (base salaries):
| Class Year | Base Salary |
|---|---|
| 1st year | $245,000 |
| 2nd year | $260,000 |
| 3rd year | $290,000 |
| 4th year | $330,000 |
| 5th year | $375,000 |
| 6th year | $400,000 |
| 7th year | $420,000 |
| 8th year | $435,000 |
(Numbers approximate as of May 2026; firms occasionally adjust mid-year.)
Bonuses
Year-end bonuses on top of base. Typical range:
| Class Year | Year-End Bonus (typical) |
|---|---|
| 1st year | $20K |
| 2nd year | $30K |
| 3rd year | $57K |
| 4th year | $90K |
| 5th year | $115K |
| 6th year | $130K |
| 7th year | $135K |
| 8th year | $140K |
Bonuses can be higher in strong years (special bonuses announced periodically) or lower in weak ones.
Total comp by class year (estimate)
| Class Year | Base + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 1st year | $265,000 |
| 4th year | $420,000 |
| 8th year | $575,000 |
Senior associates and counsel often clear $500K-$700K total. Partners are a different equity-based comp model.
Which firms pay Cravath
Most Vault 100 firms match the Cravath Scale, including:
- Cravath, Swaine & Moore
- Sullivan & Cromwell (sometimes higher)
- Davis Polk
- Skadden
- Latham & Watkins
- Kirkland & Ellis
- Paul Weiss
- Wachtell (often higher)
Smaller firms and regional offices sometimes pay below.
What "Big Law" actually means
Generally: Vault top-100 firms with corporate, litigation, and other major practices, paying associates the Cravath Scale (or close to it) and demanding 2,000+ billable hours/year.
Trade-offs
Big Law base salaries are top-of-market. The trade:
- 2,000-2,500 billable hours/year (effectively 60-80 hour weeks)
- Limited control over schedule
- Stress and burnout common
- Tenure to partnership: 7-10 years; partnership rate is 5-10%
Many associates leave for in-house, government, or smaller firms after 3-5 years.
How to land a Big Law job
- T14 law school typically required for top firms
- Top quartile of class
- Law review or moot court helps
- 1L summer at Big Law → 2L summer offer is the standard funnel
- For laterals: 2-4 years at a peer firm + clean track record
The bigger pattern
Big Law comp is high; the work is intense. Worth it for some, not for others.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Cravath Scale?
- The salary scale set by Cravath, Swaine & Moore that most Big Law firms match. It defines base salary by class year (1st year associate, 2nd year, etc.).
- Do all Big Law firms pay Cravath?
- Most do. Some pay above (Wachtell, Sullivan & Cromwell sometimes). A handful pay slightly below.
- What's the bonus structure?
- Year-end bonuses + special bonuses in strong years. Bonuses scale with class year; junior associates get $20K-$25K, senior associates $130K+ in strong years.
- How does NYC compare to other markets?
- Most Big Law firms pay the same scale across major markets (NYC, SF, LA, DC, Chicago, Boston). Houston and some smaller markets sometimes pay slightly less.