Assistant District Attorney Careers: Job Description & Salary Info

About this article
Get the truth about an assistant district attorney's salary, licensure requirements and career prospects. Read the job description and see the pros and cons of becoming an assistant district attorney.
  • Pros & Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Standing Out
  • Alternatives

Pros and Cons of a Career as an Assistant District Attorney

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An assistant district attorney, sometimes called a deputy district attorney, works for a county government under the guidance of the elected district attorney. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of a career in this field.

Pros of a Career as an Assistant District Attorney
Better than average salary ($133,470 in May 2014)*
Hiring of lawyers is expected to grow 10% between 2012 and 2022*
Satisfaction of protecting the public from crime*
No work experience is required for entry-level positions*

Cons of a Career as an Assistant District Attorney
Extensive study required (three years beyond a bachelor's degree)*
High-stress career*
May have to work with dangerous criminals*
May not have a choice in what kind of cases assigned*

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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  • Pros & Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Standing Out
  • Alternatives

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. UMass Global

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA in Legal Studies
      • BA in Legal Studies (Business Law)
      • BA in Criminal Justice
  • Online Programs Available
    2. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Juris Doctor
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice
    Master's
      • MSOL - Criminal Justice
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Dispute Resolution
      • Masters in Legal Studies
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Fordham University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
  • Stanford, CA

    Stanford University

  • Online Programs Available
    6. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • LLM: International Legal Studies
      • PHD: Education: Educational Law
      • DLP: Law & Policy
      • DCJ: Doctor of Criminal Justice: General
      • DCJ: Homeland Security
      • PHD: Criminal Justice: Leadership
    Master's
      • MBA: American Legal Studies
      • JM: American Legal Studies
      • JM: Compliance
      • JM: General
      • JM: Health Law
      • JM: Special Student (Non-Degree) - Legal Studies
    Certificate
      • GRAD CERT: Executive Law & Policy
      • CERT: Criminal Justice
      • GRAD CERT: Advanced Criminal Justice
      • GRAD CERT: Executive Criminal Justice

Featured Schools

UMass Global

  • BA in Legal Studies
  • BA in Legal Studies (Business Law)
  • BA in Criminal Justice

Which subject are you interested in?

National University

  • Juris Doctor
  • Doctor of Criminal Justice
  • MSOL - Criminal Justice

What is your highest level of education?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

Which subject are you interested in?

Fordham University

  • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance

Are you located in the U.S.?

Liberty University

  • LLM: International Legal Studies
  • MBA: American Legal Studies
  • GRAD CERT: Executive Law & Policy

What is your highest level of education?