Employment Statistics
Oregon Law graduates begin their careers in a variety of professions and in a variety of places. Every February, we report to the American Bar Association the employment status of all members of our most recent graduating class nine months after graduation. These young professionals are at the starting, pursuing careers across the country and around the world.
As in all job sectors across the country, the impacts from the recession are evident within the legal profession. The number of entry-level positions in large firms has decreased. But Oregon Law students have traditionally pursued careers in public interest-public service organizations, and they continue to find meaningful employment in both traditional practice and in professional opportunities beyond traditional lawyering. Oregon Law graduates can be found in nonprofit organizations, courts, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations; in small, mid-sized, and large law firms; and in the business sector. In all of these settings, our alumni serve in positions where their legal education is a significant asset to their success and that of their employer.
Class of 2011 Employment Statistics
| Numbers | Full Time | Part Time | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Reported | % of Reported | FT Long-Term | FT Short-Term | PT Long-Term | PT Short-Term | |
| Employed (Total) | 121 | 69.50% | 92 | 7 | 12 | 10 |
| JD Advantage | 20 | 12.70% | 14 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Professional | 12 | 7.20% | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Nonprofessional | 1 | 0.60% | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Pursuing Grad. Deg. FT | 4 | 2.40% | ||||
| Unemployed (Total) | 41 | 24.70% | ||||
| Not Seeking Job | 4 | 2.40% | ||||
| Seeking Job | 37 | 22.30% | ||||
| Status Unknown | 8 | 4.60% | ||||
| Total Graduates | 174 | 100% | ||||
View the complete data Oregon Law submitted to NALP and the American Bar Association.
Oregon Law’s affiliation with the state’s flagship research university gives its students a distinct advantage. In addition to Oregon Law’s extensive alumni network, we link up with Duck alumni – which include a growing variety of professionals – connecting students with exciting opportunities around the world. The Oregon Law Career Center is committed to helping students and graduates attain their professional goals. Oregon Law students are engaging with alumni and faculty to establish lasting professional relationships and networks that get them on track to secure fulfilling and meaningful jobs.
Class of 2011 Employment Location
Numerous variables affect starting salaries; pay varies greatly based on region, community size, from small towns to large metropolitan centers, based on the position description, employer type, practice area, and an individual’s level of experience. The starting salaries for the most recent graduating class, listed below, do not reflect the earning potential of professionals throughout the full course of their careers.
Class of 2011 Salary Information
| Number | Percent of Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| # of Employed Reporting Salaries | 39/121 | 32% |
| # of reported | % of reported | # with salary | % with salary | Average Salary | Minimum Salary | Median Salary | Maximum Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law Firm | 56 | 46.30% | 14 | 25% | 59,243 | 38,400 | 55,000 | 125,000 |
| Business & Industry | 10 | 8.30% | 3 | 30% | 52,333 | 50,000 | 50,000 | 57,000 |
| Government | 20 | 16.50% | 7 | 35% | 64,930 | 31,200 | 58,008 | 89,700 |
| Public Interest | 12 | 9.90% | 3 | 25% | 52,833 | 50,000 | 53,500 | 55,000 |
| Judicial Clerkships | 21 | 17.40% | 12 | 57% | 47,030 | 32,000 | 44,304 | 76,000 |
Given the increasing cost of attending law school (current in-state tuition is now more than $28,300), a challenging job market, and a graduate base that accepts public service careers at nearly twice the national average, Oregon Law’s graduates are considering their debt to income ratios. Oregon Law’s Career Center and Public Service Initiatives staff will help you learn about the Loan Repayment Assistance Program and other loan forgiveness programs that can assist you in making informed decisions about career options and loan repayment in your early professional life.
No matter where you go or the career you decide to pursue, your Oregon Law legal degree will be a significant asset.
2009-2011 Comparison
| Employment Status | Class of 2011 | Class of 2010 | Class of 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employed (Total) | 69.50% | 78.00% | 88.00% |
| Bar Passage Required | 52.40% | 62.60% | 83.46% |
| JD Advantage | 12.70% | 10.50% | 15.04% |
| Professional | 7.20% | 5.30% | 1.50% |
| Nonprofessional | 0.60% | 1.80% | 0 |
| Pursuing Grad. Deg. FT | 2.40% | 3.50% | 6% |
| Unemployed (Total) | 24.70% | 14% | 6.50% |
| Not Seeking Job | 2.40% | 0 | 0 |
| Seeking Job | 22.30% | 14% | 6.50% |
| Status Unknown | 4.60% | 5.50% | 6% |
| Total Graduates | 100% | 100% |
100% |
