Yes. Email compsurvey@thecounselnetwork.com for a free copy.
Survey Partners
Compensation and Career related matters including
In 2024, the national average base salary stands at $196,000, an increase over $180,000 in 2022 and $167,500 in 2020. Based on organization type, we note that the average base salary for in-house counsel in both publicly quoted and privately owned organizations is higher than those in government, Crown corporations, and not-for-profit.
Ontario respondents report average base salaries that are 8% above the national average. The averages in British Columbia and Alberta are close to the national average, +2% and -1% respectively. In-house counsel from central Canada, Quebec, Atlantic Canada report the lowest national averages.
On average, in total, the base salary of female in-house counsel is lower than their male counterparts. In 2024 males average $208,000, $21,500 more than the female base salary of $186,500. The gap in 2022 was $24,000 and in 2020 was $19,000.
In 2024, for the first time, females report higher average salaries than males in two of five in-house counsel roles: Assistant/ Associate GC and GC Executive Level. The gap in GC Director level, while still at $11,500, is lower than that seen in 2022 ($22,000) and 2020 ($20,000).
Compensation remains by far the number one motivator for moving to a new employer. 47% mentioned this factor in 2024, up dramatically from 39% in 2022 and 37% in 2020. The next two strongest motivators are better work/life balance (10%) and promotions (9%). While work/life balance has remained at a steady 9-10% over the past three survey reports, promotions have become less of a motivator (2020: 15%, 2022: 12%, and 2024: 9%).
The Counsel Network, the most respected, connected and powerful lawyer recruitment firm in Canada, has specialized in providing the Canadian legal market with comprehensive, long-term talent management solutions for law firms and a vast array of in-house clients since 1988. On October 3, 2022, the firm merged with international retained executive search firm Caldwell, bringing together two strong executive search brands with exceptional reputations borne of a true passion for achieving the best results for clients and candidates. Our partners have advised the profession through economic cycles and unprecedented changes in the industry, building careers, firms, in-house law departments and, ultimately, success in the process. Now backed by international resources and reach, we take a team-based approach – ensuring clients find the best talent for their teams and candidates find the best position for their next career move. We believe every client deserves more than a transactional experience with their recruiter.
65% of this year’s survey respondents named the survey as a key source of information for industry compensation, and we’re proud to be a part of that.
Compensation and promotions have consistently been the top two motivators for in-house counsel to move since our first study in 2009. It’s interesting that work/life balance has surpassed promotions to take the number two spot this year, reflecting a shift in priorities since the pandemic and economic uncertainty.
The 2024 In-House Counsel Compensation & Career Report has been released and is attached! It shows significant increase in average base salary. The report also relates little progress in the gender wage gap and equal pay for racialized and disabled lawyers, good progress in work-life balance satisfaction, and evidenced different views between in-house counsel and employers regarding work arrangements.
Yes. Email compsurvey@thecounselnetwork.com for a free copy.
Yes.
Since the inaugural In-House Counsel Compensation & Career Survey in 2009, the survey has become the most respected and comprehensive of its kind in the country. It contains almost 100 pages of easily accessible data and is highly valued by in-house counsel and human resources departments. Data includes, National Trends regarding In-House Counsel Compensation, Base Salary by Employment History, Age, Tenure, Type of Employer, In-Depth Look at Provinces and Territories, Changes in Compensation.
Across Canada, from coast to coast.
2009 with further additions in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022
In-House Counsel to know their worth, HR, GC's and employers to benchmark compensation for their In-House Counsel.
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compsurvey@thecounselnetwork.com
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