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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 6/3/24
If you’re considering joining the legal field, you’ve likely come across the term “JD.” This guide will go over one of the most popular legal degrees pursued, a Juris Doctor program, and how it can be used.
A Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a graduate-level professional degree that prepares individuals to practice law. It is the standard qualification for becoming a licensed attorney in the United States and other common law jurisdictions.
Preparing for your JD will require meticulous groundwork to fulfill the lengthy list of JD requirements and adhere to your desired law school’s application timeline:
Students often spend months perfecting their applications to ensure they stand out. Along with understanding how to get a JD, it’s also important to consider the salary ranges that come with the degree.
As of 2025, the average annual salary for professionals with a JD degree in the United States is approximately $109,651, equating to about $52.72 per hour.
Several factors affect your salary: the area of law you specialize in, your location, your experience, and the type of employer. For instance, corporate law tends to pay more than family law.
Salaries are also typically higher in big cities compared to rural areas. More experienced lawyers generally earn more. Finally, private law firms usually offer higher salaries to lawyers with JD credentials than government or nonprofit jobs.
JD graduates can also find opportunities in fields like compliance or consulting, where they can use their legal skills.
Obtaining a JD degree typically takes three years of full-time study. This is standard across most law schools in the United States, where students complete foundational courses in their first year and pursue specialized or elective courses in subsequent years.
For students opting for part-time study, the program can extend to six years, depending on the school and circumstances. Additionally, dual-degree programs combining JD with another graduate degree (e.g., MBA or MPH) may take four to five years to complete.
If you need help navigating the process of applying to law school, our law school admissions consulting services can help.
We tailor our services to enhance your application documents, ensuring they meet the high standards expected by top law schools. From setting up your LSAC application to perfecting your personal statement and preparing for interviews, we're here to help you with every step, increasing your likelihood of getting accepted.
Not convinced? Check out what Chris, who was accepted at Georgetown Law School, had to say.
"I worked with Juris Education for 10 schools and I was accepted into 7 of them! My team was professional, easy to work with, and turned around the essay I sent to them quickly. I appreciated the mix of in-line feedback and thought-provoking comments. Because of their help, I was able to confidently submit my essay. Thank you so much for being so wonderful to work with!"
A JD degree opens doors to many career paths both within and outside the legal field. Graduates can pursue traditional roles such as attorneys, judges, or law clerks, specializing in corporate, criminal, or environmental law.
Beyond practicing law, JD graduates excel in alternative careers like policy advising, mediation, journalism, compliance management, or academia. The degree also provides a strong foundation for government, business, and nonprofit sector roles, making it one of the most versatile professional qualifications.
The most common legal specialties Juris Doctor candidates pursue are:
And these are some emerging fields:
Want to find out if a lawyer is the right career path for you? Answer a few questions with our quiz to learn if you’d make a good lawyer.
Not all law school graduates become lawyers. Some use their legal education to work in fields like mediation, jury consulting, teaching, or administrative roles. Here is a list of careers you may look forward to as a JD graduate.
Lawyers can become judges without further formal education, but this typically requires significant legal experience (often over a decade) and is highly competitive.
Some JD holders may choose to become mediators instead of lawyers. Mediators are neutral third parties that help resolve conflicts to reach agreeable settlements.
Jury consultants assist attorneys in identifying and evaluating potential biases, attitudes, and perceptions of prospective jurors. Through careful research and consideration, their goal is to ensure the right and least biased jurors are chosen.
JD holders are qualified to work as paralegals, although this role is typically pursued by those with paralegal-specific training or associate degrees. It’s a viable option but less common for JD graduates due to overqualification
JD holders can pursue teaching careers, especially in law schools or paralegal programs. However, teaching at the postsecondary level often requires additional qualifications, such as a Master of Laws (LLM) or a PhD.
Choosing the right area of law to practice can be tough, but our quiz can help you learn what type of lawyer you should be. It matches your interests and skills with different legal fields. For example, if you like debating, you might enjoy being a trial lawyer, or if you're into contracts, corporate law could be a good fit.
Just remember, this quiz is a starting point. To fully understand each area of law, try internships and talk to lawyers who work in those fields.
Yes, several law degrees beyond a Juris Doctor JD cater to different career paths. Undergraduate options include the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL). Graduate degrees include the Master of Laws (LLM) for specialization, Master of Legal Studies (MLS) or Master of Science in Law (MSL) for non-lawyers, and Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) for mediation skills. Doctoral degrees include the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD/JSD), Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD in Law), and Doctor of Laws (LLD). Specialized certifications and dual-degree programs like JD/MBA further expand career options.
For any remaining inquiries, here are the answers to frequently asked questions about this legal degree.
A JD is considered equivalent to a professional doctorate in the United States. It is the standard degree required to practice law, similar to a medical degree (MD) for doctors or a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) for pharmacists. While not a research doctorate like a PhD, the JD is recognized as a terminal degree in law, meaning it is the highest degree needed for professional practice.
No, a JD is not equivalent to a PhD. PhDs require research, independent study, and thesis components that JDs do not. While PhD holders are considered doctors, JD holders are not.
No, a JD is much more extensive than a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite to a JD.
Yes, a JD is considered a professional doctorate degree.
Yes, you may pursue a JD for a non-lawyer career because it equips you with transferable skills like analytical thinking, research, problem-solving, and negotiation. Many nontraditional career paths leverage these abilities without requiring bar passage. Examples include JD advantage jobs such as compliance officer, corporate contracts administrator, government regulatory analyst, mediator, or human resources manager.
Bearing in mind the high costs and competitiveness of these programs, it’s essential you carefully consider whether this degree is right for you. After reading this guide, you should be able to make an easier decision!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
