General counsel compensation survey shows modest increase

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BarkerGilmore, the Fairport-based legal executive search and coaching firm, has released the results of survey of 210 general counsels at private equity portfolio firms in various industries.

The study revealed modest gains in salary with the energy sector growing fastest.

Across industries, salary increases in 2025 on average grew 1.8%. The energy sector saw a 3% increase, technology was up 2.6%, and life sciences was up 2.5%.

In contrast, the financial, industrial, and non-profit sectors saw no salary increase, and consumer and healthcare sectors posted minimal growth of 1% and 1.1%, respectively.

Across nearly all industries, actual 2024 bonuses fell short of target bonuses, with the financial sector showing the largest gap — a shortfall of $38,875 from the $187,000 target.

The healthcare sector saw a smaller gap ($127,750 target and $100,000 actual), while life sciences ($136,000 target and $130,500 actual) and non-profit ($125,500 target and $125,000 actual) sectors maintained strong payouts compared to targets.

The survey showed that women general counsel reported 3% higher cash compensation than their male counterparts on average ($400,000 vs. $388,000).

Life sciences had the highest median base salary, at $362,500, followed by energy ($350,000) and financial services ($325,000).

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of general counsels reported that their perspectives on business matters are consistently sought and respected, a finding that underscores the general counsels’ transition from legal adviser to enterprise strategist, researchers concluded.

While 58% of general counsels surveyed said they feel secure in their current roles, 42% expressed at least some concern about job stability. And 60% said they expect to seek a new job this year.

Among those considering a move, the top reason is better compensation and benefits (53%), followed by a desire for new challenges (14%), cultural misalignment (12%), and lack of career growth (6%).

Sixteen percent of the respondents included general counsels at companies with more than $1 billion in revenue. Twenty one percent were from companies with revenue between $500 million and $1 billion. The remaining 63% were at companies with less than $500 million in revenue.

The gender breakdown of respondents was 69% male and 31% female. Eighty percent were white.

Sixty percent of respondents have been in their current position for from one to five years. Nine percent were in their current role for at least 11 years. Eighteen percent were in their position for six to 10 years. And 13% had less than one year in their current position.

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