Also called: Municipal Attorney, County Counsel, Government Attorney
The lawyer for a city or county government who writes local laws, defends the city in lawsuits, and advises the mayor and council.
One morning a city attorney might draft a new short-term-rental ordinance; that afternoon they defend the city against a pothole injury lawsuit and sit in on a tense council meeting to keep votes legal. Big cities have hundreds of deputy city attorneys; small towns may hire one part-time lawyer.
Estimate from BLS lawyers in local government and city pay scales.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 7 years after high school. Bachelor's (any major), then a 3-year J.D. and the bar exam.
Ways in: 4-year college, Professional school. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Political Science, Public Administration, Economics.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS lawyers, 2025-35 projection.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI drafts ordinances and contract reviews; advising the council in public meetings and defending lawsuits stays human.
Classes: AP U.S. Government, Civics, AP English Language, Speech and debate.
Official data: O*NET occupation 23-1011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.