Hey all. I'm new the this forum and will be taking the LSAT this OCT. I am trying to determine which LSs are on my T-10 list.

The main factor I am looking for is average starting salaries for the graduating class. Does anyone know how to estimate a law school's actual average starting salary.

Usually the LSs will say that the average salary and the percentage of the graduating class reporting their starting salary for ther school.

So, if a school reports a $118,000 starting salary and that 60% of the class reports how I determine a realistic range of salaries?

Anyone have a method of calculating the range or know of a site that gives relatively accurate ranges?

Check back tonight.

I dont think you can rely on school's #s as tehy are all distorted.

LS report based on info that is provided to them. What is students who reported embellished their salaries? Not every applicant is similary situated. Some LS grad have had years of professional experience prio to attending LS or have family at firms. (Legacy jobs).

If you want, check out deloggio.com. They have a good article on median salaries. It has some data that takes into account the number of people that respond to each school's survey. Interesting; http://www.deloggio.com/usnews/medians.htm

I personally think the salary statistics mean nothing because there are so many factors that go into hiring someone and not everyone comes to the table with the same background or talents.

Trying to decipher what actual law school grads are making after graduation based information gathered by the law schools is tricky and deceiving because its not clear from their statistics which students reported (which tier of GPA).

I found the information below on the U.S. Department of Labor site http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm#earnings
In May 2006, the median annual earnings of all wage-and-salaried lawyers were $102,470. The middle half of the occupation earned between $69,910 and $145,600. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of lawyers in May 2006 were:

Management of companies and enterprises $128,610
Federal Government 119,240
Legal services 108,100
Local government 78,810
State government 75,840

Salaries of experienced attorneys vary widely according to the type, size, and location of their employer. Lawyers who own their own practices usually earn less than those who are partners in law firms. Lawyers starting their own practice may need to work part time in other occupations to supplement their income until their practice is well established.

Median salaries of lawyers 9 months after graduation from law school in 2005 varied by type of work, as indicated in table 1.

Table 1. Median salaries of lawyers 9 months after graduation, 2005 Type of work

All graduates $60,000

Private practice 85,000

Business $60,000

Government $ 46,158

Academic/judicial clerkships $ 45,000

I think that knowing the actual salaries for law grads from a each school would be great. That could help determine whether you choose that school or not. I agree that law schools manipulate the information to make their school look more attractive to applicants.

I use payscale.com for wage info. http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Associate_Attorney/Salary

This site has salary info. Its broken up by state, rather than school; which is useful, but they are averaging pays among all applicants.
http://www.legalnut.com/salaries/