Immigration lawyers are a vital part of our society. They help people find homes, get work, and start new lives in the country
However, being an immigration lawyer isn’t easy. Immigration laws and conditions change at a breakneck pace, and being up-to-date is essential for effectively serving your clients.
But is the challenge worth the payoff? Similarly, if you’re already working in immigration law or are considering expanding your practice, do you understand its true value?
In this article, we’ll cover how much immigration lawyers make on average, the factors that affect an immigration lawyer’s salary, and other information you can use to plan your career and make informed financial decisions.
What Is the Average Immigration Lawyer Salary in 2025?
Currently, the average immigration attorney's salary is around $90,000 nationwide. This is somewhat lower than the average salary for attorneys in the U.S. overall, which is about $175,000 per year. However, it’s best to take that average with a grain of salt, as it can be skewed by highly lucrative practice areas like corporate law or intellectual property law.
So, how much does an immigration lawyer make per hour? On average, they earn about $44 an hour, which puts immigration lawyers in the top 75th percentile of earners in the US.
How Much Do Immigration Lawyers Make by State?
The income of an immigration lawyer can vary significantly by state. Below are the average annual immigration lawyer salaries in states with the highest number of immigration attorneys, according to Salary.com and ZipRecruiter.
- Arizona: $84,000
- California: $89,040
- Colorado: $94,000
- Florida: $67,400
- Illinois: $87,400
- Massachusetts: $98,500
- New Jersey: $91,500
- New York: $99,462
- Oregon: $95,000
- Texas: $84,00
- Washington: $102,100
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How Much Do Immigration Lawyers Make by City?
Here’s a breakdown of how much an immigration lawyer makes in some major U.S. cities, on average:
- Boston: $98,500 – $103,00
- Chicago: $92,000 – $96,300
- Los Angeles: $97,200 – $119,132
- Miami: $86,293 – $88,600
- New York: $97,000 - $98,700
- San Francisco: $106,300 – $114,800
- Washington D.C.: $102,000
Factors Influencing Immigration Lawyer Salaries
The number of immigration lawyers in the U.S. is increasing, growing 6.8% between 2023 and 2024 alone. That’s good news for aspiring immigration paralegals and lawyers, as the demand for these services doesn’t look like it’ll be going away anytime soon.
However, the income of an immigration lawyer can vary significantly depending on a few key factors.
Experience Level
Work experience is another factor that affects salaries for those in this profession. Entry-level immigration attorneys earn a median of about $65,000 per year, while those with more than 10 years of experience often earn more than $100,000 annually.
Aspiring immigration attorneys can gain some experience before entering the field by completing
clerkships, internships, or other legal work during law school.
Practice Location
How much an immigration attorney makes is also heavily affected by where they practice. Certain parts of the country have a higher demand for immigration-related services, though the rise of remote work has the potential to change that.
For example, an attorney working in Arkansas might make around $75,000 a year, whereas an attorney with the same experience in New York could earn close to $100,000.
However, while lawyers in urban centers typically charge higher rates for their services, they also may have lower profit margins due to higher costs of living and expenses.
Education and Certifications
While a law school specialization in immigration law isn’t required to practice in this area, it can help a new lawyer stand out to potential employers. Additionally, firms that hire immigration attorneys often prefer candidates who have hands-on legal experience, such as pro bono services, internships, and other related work.
Language Skills
In immigration law, speaking multiple languages can set you apart. A bilingual attorney is often better equipped to guide non-native speakers through the legal process, making it feel less overwhelming for clients while also minimizing the risk of errors related to miscommunication.
Language skills can also influence how much an immigration lawyer makes per hour. A bilingual lawyer’s salary may be higher compared to other attorneys because they can handle cases that others might not be able to manage—which can help their firms take on more clients.
Technology Skills
Technology is playing a growing role in the legal profession, helping attorneys streamline workloads, increase accuracy, and improve client communication. For example, legal AI tools enable lawyers to prepare documents and do research far more efficiently.
At a minimum, an aspiring immigration attorney should be acquainted with case management software and other common technologies used in immigration law. The more comfortable they are using the latest legal technology, the more value they can bring to their firm.
Job Outlook for Immigration Law
The job outlook for an immigration lawyer is stable. Overall demand for lawyers has grown consistently in recent years, and the same is true for immigration lawyers.
Immigration firms also tend to be smaller—about three employees on average—meaning smaller firms or independent immigration attorneys can be more competitive in the market. With several major immigration policy changes already underway in 2025, the need for experienced immigration lawyers is likely to grow.
Tips for Immigration Lawyers to Increase Compensation
Whether you’re thinking of joining an immigration firm or looking to launch your own immigration practice, following these best practices can help you attract more clients and maximize profits.
Specialize in High-Demand Areas
Immigration law is complicated, largely because procedures vary widely depending on the type of case. Specializing in a particular area of immigration law can help you stand out from other attorneys and make a greater impact.
Consider building expertise in areas such as:
- Business immigration: Many companies are looking for help with work visas, green cards, and staying on the right side of immigration laws.
- Family immigration: Immigration can be highly stressful for spouses and other family members navigating the complexities of immigration law.
- Investor visas: Assisting with EB-5 investor visas can be especially lucrative, as these cases often involve high-net-worth individuals with complex legal needs.
- Asylum and deportation defense: Attorneys working in this area provide support to people who are looking to escape bad situations and start a new life in the U.S.
Focusing on a specialized area of immigration law can help you build a professional niche and stay ahead of changes in your field.
Expand Service Offerings
To offer the most value to your clients, don’t just stick to the basics. Offer comprehensive services that cover the entire process, from visa applications to compliance audits and naturalization.
Offer legal consultations and compliance training for businesses—this can prevent immigration violations and add serious value to your services. Think about branching out into related areas like employment law, tax planning for immigrants, and family law.
The more services you offer, the more clients you’ll attract.
Develop a Strong Online Presence
Did you know that just under half of all Google searches are seeking local information? In other words, even if you practice in person, developing a strong online presence is a must for immigration attorneys looking to differentiate themselves from the competition.
Invest in search engine optimization (SEO) to boost the visibility of your law firm in local search results. You can also regularly publish high-quality content like blog articles and videos on immigration topics to build trust and establish expertise.
Use social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn to share success stories and legal updates while engaging with your community. Encourage your satisfied clients to leave positive reviews and testimonials online to build trust and attract new clients. This digital footprint is your ticket to reaching a broader audience and establishing credibility.
Use Software to Increase Profitability
We mentioned before that most immigration practices are on the smaller side, but you shouldn’t let that hold you back.
Leveraging the right technology can seriously boost your efficiency, which can, in turn, increase profitability and take-home pay for immigration lawyers.
Software like Docketwise helps immigration attorneys manage cases efficiently, track billable hours, and automate paperwork, giving them more time to focus on high-value tasks. Efficient case management not only saves you time but also increases your capacity to take on more clients, which ultimately boosts your earnings. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.
Other industry tools like legal payment platforms can also ensure that you remain compliant with trust accounting and other legal accounting standards while streamlining billing processes.
See How Docketwise Helps Immigration Lawyers Easily Manage Cases
An immigration lawyer’s income is based on a number of factors, from experience to location and everything in between. However, the more you build a niche and streamline your processes, the more value you can bring to clients. In addition to consistent marketing efforts, this will affect how much you can charge and earn as an immigration lawyer.
If you’re ready to dive into the important, complex world of immigration law, it’s essential to use the right tools.
Docketwise provides immigration lawyers with powerful case management tools that automatically fill out forms, track case statuses, streamline client intake, and more. Combined with LawPay’s industry leading legal payment platform, you can significantly improve the client experience, get paid faster, and maintain IOLTA compliance.
Schedule a demo today to learn how Docketwise can help you improve the client experience, take on more work, and stay a step ahead of the competition.
