2025 General Counsel Pay Report: Legal Chiefs Gain Influence but Not Always Financial Rewards for Expanded Roles
New York, NY – The 2025 General Counsel Pay Report, released by executive search firm BarkerGilmore, reveals that general counsels (GCs) and chief legal officers (CLOs) are increasingly taking on non-legal functions such as compliance, human resources, and data security, reaping strategic influence but not always financial rewards. Based on a survey of thousands of in-house legal professionals, the report highlights evolving compensation trends and the expanding scope of GC responsibilities in a dynamic corporate landscape.
The report notes a modest rise in GC salaries, with a 2.5% increase to a median of $583,250, while total compensation, including bonuses and equity, reached $3.3 million for GCs at the largest U.S. companies, up nearly 25% since 2019. However, despite 51% of GCs overseeing compliance and 41% managing privacy functions, the financial payoff for these additional roles is inconsistent. “The complexity of the GC role is a huge piece of how compensation is calculated,” said Adam Hearn, a principal at Meridian Compensation Partners. “If the GC has broad oversight beyond legal, the compensation will be higher, but it’s often skewed toward long-term incentives like equity rather than fixed cash.”
Stock awards and performance incentives have driven much of the compensation growth, with median stock awards at $519,800 (up 50.8% since 2019) and performance incentives at $945,000 (up 33.7%). Yet, the report underscores that non-financial benefits, such as increased C-suite influence and strategic decision-making power, are significant draws for GCs taking on roles like chief compliance officer (85% of private equity GCs) or corporate secretary (44%). John Gilmore, co-founder of BarkerGilmore, noted, “Companies are investing in GCs who provide well-informed opinions on a wide range of business issues, demonstrating wisdom and gravitas as trusted advisors.”
Geographic and industry variations play a critical role. GCs in Washington, D.C., command the highest average base salary at $1,197,308, followed by New York ($747,569) and California ($722,807), reflecting demand in regulatory, financial, and tech hubs. Life sciences leads industries with a median total compensation of $474,000, followed by energy ($442,000) and consumer goods ($424,000). Public companies offer significantly higher bonuses—53% more for GCs than at private firms—highlighting the disparity in cash compensation.
Gender pay gaps persist, with male GCs earning 5% more than female counterparts on average, though women in CLO roles earned 2% more than men in 2023. The report also indicates a retention challenge, with 60% of in-house counsel considering a job switch within the next year, driven by compensation but also by desires for new challenges and better work-life balance. Non-cash perks like flexible schedules, remote work, and executive coaching are increasingly used to retain talent.
The rise of AI and data privacy concerns further complicates the GC role, with many legal chiefs navigating uncharted regulatory waters. “AI adoption and ROI are among the topics in-house counsel can expect to feature prominently in 2025,” the report states, emphasizing the need for GCs to balance legal expertise with strategic business acumen. Despite the financial plateau for some, the strategic importance of GCs continues to grow, positioning them as indispensable C-suite partners.
Sources: BarkerGilmore 2025 In-House Counsel Salary Guide, Equilar 2024 General Counsel Pay Trends, The L Suite 2024 Salary Data, Legal Dive, and Major, Lindsey & Africa 2024 Compensation Survey.