👨⚖️ How much does a prosecutor make?
U.S.: typical $132,482; new prosecutors ~$92,518; senior ~$155,467 (survey estimates). Japan: grade 18 ¥3.43M, grade 10 ¥5.09M, top Prosecutor General ¥18.34M in yearly base pay (monthly ×12).
Pay varies with experience and rank; U.S. amounts are survey estimates, while Japan’s figures are statutory monthly base pay multiplied by 12, before bonuses and allowances.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level prosecutors (1–3 years) | $92,518 | ERI 2026 salary survey |
| Typical prosecutor (survey median) | $132,482 | ERI 2026 salary survey |
| Senior prosecutors (8+ years; survey estimate) | $155,467 | ERI 2026 salary survey |
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level prosecutors (1–3 years) | $7,710 | $253 |
| Typical prosecutor (survey median) | $11,040 | $363 |
| Senior prosecutors (8+ years; survey estimate) | $12,956 | $426 |
Where does the money come from?
How pay changes with experience
| Stage | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Federal AUSA, 0–2 years of experience | $63,163–$107,376 Estimate | DOJ 2025 AD base-pay table; before locality pay. (Source) |
| Federal AUSA, 3–4 years of experience | $67,863–$115,369 Estimate | DOJ 2025 AD base-pay table; before locality pay. (Source) |
| Federal AUSA, 5–8 years of experience | $72,918–$153,761 Estimate | DOJ 2025 AD base-pay table; before locality pay. (Source) |
| Federal AUSA, 9+ years of experience | $97,181–$165,209 Estimate | DOJ 2025 AD base-pay table; before locality pay. (Source) |
How do you become a prosecutor?
In the United States, finish a bachelor’s degree, earn a J.D. at law school, and meet the state’s bar admission rules. Then gain legal experience and apply to a prosecutor’s office; one federal AUSA opening required at least one year after the J.D.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Earn a J.D. at a law school.
- Pass the state bar exam or meet that state’s bar admission rules.
- Gain legal work experience; federal openings may require post-J.D. experience.
- Apply to a state, local, or federal prosecutor’s office.
Qualifications and exams
For a federal AUSA job, applicants need a J.D., active U.S. bar membership, and (in the cited opening) at least 1 year of relevant post-J.D. experience and U.S. citizenship.
A day as a prosecutor
A prosecutor may start by reading case reports and evidence, then speak with witnesses and prepare for court. On a trial day, they question witnesses and present evidence. Their job is to help reach a fair decision, not simply to win a conviction.
Common questions
What is the starting pay for a federal prosecutor?
The DOJ’s 2025 AD scale lists base pay of $63,163–$107,376 for assistant U.S. attorneys with 0–2 years of experience, before locality pay. Source
How does pay change with experience?
DOJ’s AD grades are based on full years of attorney experience. Promotion reviews are normally annual and consider job performance and added experience. Source
Does a federal prosecutor’s pay vary by location?
Yes. A 2026 DOJ posting listed $76,748–$197,100 for Binghamton, Plattsburgh, or Syracuse, and $79,180–$197,100 for Albany, including locality pay. Source
What benefits come with the salary?
A DOJ AUSA posting lists paid vacation, sick leave, federal holidays, health and life insurance, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Source
How are federal and state prosecutors different?
Federal prosecutors handle cases under federal law. State and local prosecutors handle cases under state law; sometimes the laws overlap. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
Close jobs in official statistics
In Japan
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Prosecutor, grade 18 | $22,840 | 2026 official monthly pay table ×12 |
| Prosecutor, grade 10 (a scale point, not a workforce median) | $33,928 | 2026 official monthly pay table ×12 |
| Prosecutor General (statutory base pay ×12) | $122,240 | statutory monthly pay ×12 |
Close Japanese jobs
Famous people
| Who | Amount |
|---|---|
| ⚖️ Kawahara Ryuji Prosecutor General of Japan | $122,240 (2026) A Prosecutor General's salary is set by law, and Kawahara's yearly pay is about ¥18.34 million. |
Related questions
Jobs in the same group
Data table and sources
- www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm
- www.courts.go.jp/assets/db2026_103.pdf
- laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/323AC0000000076
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/145
- www.justice.gov/usao/career-center/salary-information/administratively-determine
- www.justice.gov/usao/career-center/salary-information
- www.usajobs.gov/job/873692000
- www.justice.gov/usao/justice-101/discovery
- www.justice.gov/usao/justice-101/faq
- www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/legal_education_and_admission
This job is not covered directly by government wage statistics, so the figures come from leagues, associations, surveys and the press.
- A Supreme Court justice's pay, same as the top prosecutor's, is 1.528 million yen a month; younger judges earn less. (Judges' Compensation Act)