The BarkerGilmore compensation report for 2026 is one of the most closely watched pay surveys for in-house lawyers. BarkerGilmore, the in-house legal and compliance search firm, has released its 2026 In-House Counsel Compensation Report (free PDF, 29 pages). It draws on more than 2,879 in-house lawyers surveyed in March 2026 and reports 2025 base salary, cash bonus and long-term incentives (LTI) for General Counsel, Managing Counsel and Senior Counsel at public, private, private equity portfolio and non-profit organizations.
Here are the numbers that matter most if you are benchmarking your pay, negotiating an offer or building a team. All figures are medians unless noted.
BarkerGilmore Compensation Report 2026: The Headlines
- Raises have cooled. Median base salary increases averaged 3.2% (3.5% for General Counsel and 3.0% for Managing and Senior Counsel), down from 4.4% in 2024.
- Fewer lawyers are looking. 64% of respondents rated their job search motivation low or very low, up from 40% last year who said they were not considering a move. Competition for strong passive candidates is tighter.
- Money still moves people. Among those considering a change, compensation is the top motivator (22%), followed by new challenges (15%) and a bigger leadership role (13%).
- The gender gap widened. The pay gap between men and women grew from 5.4% in 2025 to 7.4% in 2026: median total compensation of $503,275 for men versus $467,587 for women.
- Pedigree still pays. General Counsel with Top 50 law firm experience report median total compensation of $700,000, versus $517,500 from mid-tier firms and $425,000 without large firm experience. Top 50 law school graduates report $600,000 versus $450,000 for lower-ranked schools.
General Counsel Pay
GC pay climbs steeply with company size, and long-term incentives drive most of the difference. At the largest public companies, LTI exceeds base salary, and the top quartile of GCs at $5B+ public companies earn $3.96 million or more in total compensation; the 90th percentile reaches $5.4 million.
Median total compensation, General Counsel (USD, thousands)
| Revenue | Public | Private | PE Portfolio | Non-Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $500M | 775 | 510 | 525 | 335 |
| $500M–$1B | 938 | 638 | 850 | 430 |
| $1B–$5B | 1,513 | 725 | 1,350 | 775 |
| $5B+ | 2,500 | 1,225 | n/a | 1,313 |
Median base salary for public company GCs runs from $350,000 (under $500M revenue) to $550,000 ($5B+). Private equity portfolio companies stand out: equity awards put their GCs well above private company peers at the same size.
Managing Counsel Pay
Managing Counsel (an in-house lawyer with at least one direct report) see steadier, more linear growth. Base and bonus make up most of the package, though LTI grows at larger and PE-backed companies.
Median total compensation, Managing Counsel (USD, thousands)
| Revenue | Public | Private | PE Portfolio | Non-Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $500M | 435 | 360 | 403 | 268 |
| $500M–$1B | 435 | 445 | 545 | 308 |
| $1B–$5B | 485 | 490 | 535 | 335 |
| $5B+ | 550 | 510 | n/a | 485 |
Senior Counsel Pay
Senior Counsel (individual contributors) sit in a tightly compressed band, with modest increases tied to company size. Salary and bonus make up most of the package.
Median total compensation, Senior Counsel (USD, thousands)
| Revenue | Public | Private | PE Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $500M | 298 | 355 | 260 |
| $500M–$1B | 383 | 330 | 310 |
| $1B–$5B | 355 | 345 | 335 |
| $5B+ | 380 | 380 | n/a |
Non-profit Senior Counsel report median total compensation of $250,000 (under $1B revenue) to $305,000 ($5B+).
BarkerGilmore Compensation Report: Quick Answers
How many lawyers took part in the BarkerGilmore compensation report?
More than 2,879 in-house lawyers responded to BarkerGilmore’s March 2026 survey, reporting 2025 base salary, bonus and long-term incentives.
How much did in-house salaries rise?
Median raises averaged 3.2%, including 3.5% for General Counsel, down from 4.4% in 2024.
Is the BarkerGilmore compensation report free?
Yes. The 29-page report is a free PDF from BarkerGilmore.
What It Means for Your Career
- Negotiating an offer? With raises averaging around 3%, the move itself is often your best chance at a real pay jump. Equity and LTI are where offers differ most, especially at the GC level. See our guide to Negotiating the In-House Job Offer.
- Eyeing the top job? The gap between GC and Managing Counsel pay widens sharply above $1B in revenue. Our guide on How to Become a General Counsel covers the path.
- Benchmarking more broadly? Compare these figures with other surveys in our In-House Counsel Salaries Guide.
- Ready to look? Browse current In-House Counsel Jobs, General Counsel Jobs and Deputy General Counsel Jobs.
Source: BarkerGilmore 2026 In-House Counsel Compensation Report (April 2026). Data is self-reported; figures are medians of 2025 compensation unless noted.This post is part of our In-House Counsel Salaries Guide, which collects the latest in-house pay surveys in one place.
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