Becoming a Real Estate Attorney: Job Description & Salary Info

About this article
A real estate attorney's median annual salary is about $127,000. Is it worth the education and licensing requirements? See real job descriptions and get the truth about career prospects to find out if becoming a real estate attorney is right for you.
  • Pros and Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Get an Edge
  • Alt Careers

Becoming a Real Estate Attorney: Pros and Cons

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Unlike some attorneys, real estate attorneys often spend more time preparing documents and researching case law than litigating in front of a judge or jury. Below are a list of pros and cons to help you decide if a career in this field is right for you.

Pros of Becoming a Real Estate Attorney
High pay (median salary close to $135,000)**
Opportunity to be your own boss (22% of lawyers were self-employed in 2010)*
Work in a rewarding career advocating for clients*
Advancement into partnerships is a possibility after gaining experience*

Cons of Becoming a Real Estate Attorney
Extensive educational requirements (approximately seven years of post-secondary study)*
Must pass state bar examination to obtain a license*
Continuing education is required in 45 states*
Long work hours are often necessary*

Source(s): *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Salary.com

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  • Pros and Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Get an Edge
  • Alt Careers

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Dispute Resolution
      • Masters in Legal Studies
  • Online Programs Available
    2. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Juris Doctor
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice
    Master's
      • MSOL - Criminal Justice
  • Online Programs Available
    3. UMass Global

    Program Options

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

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science in Legal Studies
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor: Tax Accountancy
      • Undergraduate in Legal Studies
      • Bachelor: Auditing-Forensic Accountancy
      • BS in Criminal Justice - Business Fundamentals
      • BSCJ: Forensic Psychology
    Associate's
      • Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services
      • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
  • Boston, MA

    Boston University

  • Online Programs Available
    7. Colorado Christian University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Criminal Justice, M.S.
      • Criminal Justice, M.S. - Campus, Event, and Organizational Safety
    Bachelor's
      • Criminal Justice, B.S.

Featured Schools

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

Which subject are you interested in?

National University

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

What is your highest level of education?

UMass Global

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

Which subject are you interested in?

Fordham University

  • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance

Are you located in the U.S.?

Purdue Global

  • Master of Science in Legal Studies
  • Bachelor: Tax Accountancy
  • Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services

Which subject are you interested in?

Colorado Christian University

  • Criminal Justice, M.S.
  • Criminal Justice, M.S. - Campus, Event, and Organizational Safety
  • Criminal Justice, B.S.

What is your highest level of education completed?