2026 BigLaw Salary Scale: Cravath/Milbank & Associate Compensation
The 2026 BigLaw associate compensation scale increased on July 1, 2026, following Milbank's kicking off the salary increases bringing the market scale ranges from $235,000 for first-year associates to $455,000 for eighth-year associates, before bonuses.
Current Cravath/Mibank Salary 2026 Scale:
Class | Salary | Special Bonuses | Annual Bonus | Total Compensation |
1st Year | $235,000 | $6,000 | $20,000 | $261,000 |
2nd Year | $245,000 | $10,000 | $30,000 | $285,000 |
3rd Year | $270,000 | $15,000 | $57,500 | $342,500 |
4th Year | $320,000 | $20,000 | $75,000 | $415,000 |
5th Year | $385,000 | $25,000 | $90,000 | $500,000 |
6th Year | $410,000 | $25,000 | $105,000 | $540,000 |
7th Year | $440,000 | $25,000 | $115,000 | $580,000 |
8th Year | $455,000 | $25,000 | $115,000 | $595,000 |
Which BigLaw Firms Have Matched the 2026 Scale?
Following the July 2026 increase, a number of firms have been reported as matching or responding to the new compensation levels.
Reported firms include:
Milbank
McDermott Will & Emery
Quinn Emanuel
Hueston Hennigan
Katten
Vartabedian Katz Hester & Haynes
Dunn Isaacson Rhee
Pallas Partners
Firms that have not matched the July 2026 increase may continue to follow the 2025 Cravath scale:
Class | Salary | Special Bonus | Annual Bonus | Total Compensation |
1st Year | $225,000 | $6,000 | $20,000 | $251,000 |
2nd Year | $235,000 | $10,000 | $30,000 | $275,000 |
3rd Year | $260,000 | $15,000 | $57,500 | $332,500 |
4th Year | $310,000 | $20,000 | $75,000 | $405,000 |
5th Year | $365,000 | $25,000 | $90,000 | $480,000 |
6th Year | $390,000 | $25,000 | $105,000 | $520,000 |
7th Year | $420,000 | $25,000 | $115,000 | $560,000 |
8th Year | $435,000 | $25,000 | $115,000 | $575,000 |
The BigLaw salary scale provides a useful benchmark for understanding associate compensation, but salary is only one part of the equation when evaluating a firm or considering a lateral move. Practice area, quality of work, client exposure, partnership opportunities, and overall career trajectory can all play an important role.
If you are considering a move or would like to better understand how your experience and compensation compare with the current market, we can provide confidential guidance on available opportunities and the broader BigLaw lateral market.
