Attorney Average Salary in Hong Kong 2023
How much money does a person working as Attorney make in Hong Kong?
LOW
31,400
HKD AVERAGE
68,300
HKD HIGH
109,000
HKD
A person working as Attorney in Hong Kong typically earns around 68,300 HKD per month. Salaries range from 31,400 HKD (lowest) to 109,000 HKD (highest).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Attorney salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Attorney Pay Scale and Salaries in Hong Kong
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
64,800 HKD or more
56,800 to 64,800 HKD
39,100 HKD or less
39,100 to 56,800 HKD
 31,400 HKD |
65,300 HKD |
109,000 HKD |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Attorney salaries in Hong Kong range from 31,400 HKD per month (starting salary) to 109,000 HKD per month (maximum salary). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.
Median Salary
The median salary is 65,300 HKD per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as Attorney(s) are earning less than 65,300 HKD while the other half are earning more than 65,300 HKD. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles and Salary Scale
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Attorney(s) are earning less than 52,700 HKD while 75% of them are earning more than 52,700 HKD. Also from the diagram, 75% of Attorney(s) are earning less than 75,300 HKD while 25% are earning more than 75,300 HKD.
Pay Scale Structure
We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights on how salaries are actually distributed. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 39,100 HKD to 56,800 HKD. Approximatly 20% fall under the 39,100 HKD cap. Ten percent of wages are from 56,800 HKD to 64,800 HKD. Only 5% of people grossed 64,800 HKD or more.
Attorney Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
Attorney average salary change by experience in Hong Kong
| 0 - 2 Years | 35,700 HKD | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +34% | 47,700 HKD |
| 5 - 10 Years | +48% | 70,400 HKD |
| 10 - 15 Years | +22% | 85,900 HKD |
| 15 - 20 Years | +9% | 93,600 HKD |
| 20+ Years | +8% | 101,000 HKD |
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Attorney salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
Employees with less than two years of experience makes approximately 35,700 HKD per month.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 47,700 HKD per month, 34% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 70,400 HKD per month, 48% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Attorney whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 85,900 HKD per month, 22% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 93,600 HKD per month, 9% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 101,000 HKD per month, 8% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
Attorney Salary Comparison By Education
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary difference between different Attorney(s) who have the same experience but different education levels.
Attorney average salary difference by education level in Hong Kong
| Bachelor's Degree | 40,700 HKD | |
| Master's Degree | +57% | 63,900 HKD |
| PhD | +68% | 107,000 HKD |
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Attorney salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is Bachelor's Degree, the average salary is 40,700 HKD per month.
While someone with a Master's Degree gets a salary of 63,900 HKD per month, 57% more than someone having a Bachelor's Degree degree.
People with PhD have an average salary of 107,000 HKD per month, 68% more than someone with a Master's Degree.
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Hong Kong costs anywhere from 183,000 Hong Kong Dollar(s) to 549,000 Hong Kong Dollar(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support the thoery. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers
Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender - Attorney
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male Attorney employees in Hong Kong earn 12% more than their female counterparts on average.
| Male | 72,300 HKD | |
| Female | -11% | 64,400 HKD |
Salary Comparison By Gender in Hong Kong for all Careers
Attorney Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Hong Kong
How much are annual salary increments in Hong Kong for Attorney(s)? How often do employees get salary raises?
Attorney
Attorney(s) in Hong Kong are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 8% every 29 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 4% granted to employees every 29 months.
Hong Kong / All Professions
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022
| Banking | 7% | |
| Energy | 5% | |
| Information Technology | 3% | |
| Healthcare | 1% | |
| Travel | 8% | |
| Construction | 6% | |
| Education | 4% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Hong Kong for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Salary Packages and Schemes
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
Attorney Bonus and Incentive Rates in Hong Kong
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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"Attorney" is considered to be a high bonus-based job. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
32% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 68% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 5% to 9% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 68% | |
| No Bonus | 32% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Attorney Salary Trend and Forecast in Hong Kong
How are Attorney salaries changing over time? Listed below is a chart that shows the average salary in recent years.
| Average Salary 2019 | 59,100 HKD | |
| Average Salary 2020 | +4% | 61,300 HKD |
| Average Salary 2021 | +4% | 63,600 HKD |
| Average Salary 2022 | +4% | 65,900 HKD |
Attorney salaries in Hong Kong are on the rise in the year 2023 based on recent submitted salaries and reports. As displayed in the chart, salaries in 2022 are 4% higher than those of 2021. The trend suggests a slow yet continuous increase in pay in 2024 and future years. These numbers may vary from industry to another.
Attorney Average Hourly Wage in Hong Kong
390 HKD per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Hong Kong is 390 HKD. This means that the average Attorney in Hong Kong earns approximately 390 HKD for every worked hour.
About The Hourly Pay Rate
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?
The minimum pay rate per hour for 'Attorney' in Hong Kong is 180 HKD. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Attorney VS Other Jobs
The average salary for Attorney is 55% more than that of Legal. Also, Legal salaries are 21% more than those of All Jobs.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Administrative Law Judge | 97,000 HKD |  +42% |
| Arbitrator | 41,500 HKD |  -39% |
| Associate Attorney | 42,400 HKD | -38% |
| Attorney | 68,300 HKD | -0% |
| Bailiff | 21,000 HKD | -69% |
| Barrister | 17,300 HKD | -75% |
| Candidate Attorney | 38,100 HKD | -44% |
| Conciliator | 32,100 HKD | -53% |
| Contracts Manager | 40,500 HKD | -41% |
| Contracts Negotiator | 32,700 HKD | -52% |
| Conveyancing Secretary | 18,500 HKD | -73% |
| Corporate Counsel | 51,500 HKD | -25% |
| Counsel | 47,900 HKD | -30% |
| Court Clerk | 15,700 HKD | -77% |
| Court Judicial Assistant | 26,200 HKD | -62% |
| Court Liaison Specialist | 30,300 HKD | -56% |
| Court Reporter | 27,100 HKD | -60% |
| Court Representative | 20,800 HKD | -70% |
| Crown Prosecution Service Lawyer | 96,900 HKD | +42% |
| Immigration Executive | 48,400 HKD | -29% |
| In House Counsel | 47,300 HKD | -31% |
| Intellectual Property Specialist | 32,300 HKD | -53% |
| Judge Advocate | 75,900 HKD | +11% |
| Law Clerk | 16,100 HKD | -76% |
| Lawyer | 69,600 HKD | +2% |
| Legal Administrative Assistant | 18,200 HKD | -73% |
| Legal Advisor | 41,300 HKD | -40% |
| Legal Assistant | 18,300 HKD | -73% |
| Legal Associate | 31,600 HKD | -54% |
| Legal Consultant | 41,200 HKD | -40% |
| Legal Counsel | 49,200 HKD | -28% |
| Legal Editor | 32,000 HKD | -53% |
| Legal Executive | 61,700 HKD | -10% |
| Legal Executive Secretary | 18,600 HKD | -73% |
| Legal IP Officer | 17,200 HKD | -75% |
| Legal Officer | 21,200 HKD | -69% |
| Legal Services Director | 78,400 HKD | +15% |
| Legal Services Manager | 77,700 HKD | +14% |
| Legal Support Worker | 12,900 HKD | -81% |
| Legislative Liaison | 32,200 HKD | -53% |
| Litigation Attorney | 80,500 HKD | +18% |
| Litigation Paralegal | 41,100 HKD | -40% |
| Magistrate Judge | 108,000 HKD | +58% |
| Paralegal | 26,100 HKD | -62% |
| Patent Attorney | 49,700 HKD | -27% |
| Staff Attorney | 55,000 HKD | -20% |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Hong Kong earn 10% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
| Private Sector | 35,500 HKD | |
| Public Sector | +10% | 39,200 HKD |
Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide
What is considered to be a good and competitive salary for Attorney in Hong Kong?
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 65,300 HKD and 75,300 HKD. This is a very rough estimate and your experience and education will play a very huge part into your final earnings.
Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salart after tax for every career.
Base / Basic Salary
The base salary for Attorney in Hong Kong is ranges from 52,700 HKD to 75,300 HKD. The base salary depends on many factors including experience and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range in a grain of salt.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
