With 93% of George Washington University Law School graduates who sought employment landing on a job and 84% employed within 10 months of graduation, GW Law’s 2023 employment outcomes show a clear pipeline, with 49% of graduates in the private sector (345 employed), 19% in government (141), 12% in public interest (85), 13% in judicial clerkships (90), and 6% in other roles (43).
Key Takeaways
- As of 2023, 49% of George Washington University Law School graduates were employed in the Private Sector
- As of 2023, 19% of George Washington University Law School graduates were employed in Government
- As of 2023, 12% of George Washington University Law School graduates were employed in the Public Interest sector
- For JD Class of 2022, the median starting salary for employed graduates was $170,000
- For JD Class of 2022, the average starting salary for employed graduates was $177,000
- For JD Class of 2022, the mean salary for private sector jobs was $180,000
- GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Federal government” accounted for 60 positions in 2023
- GW Law Employment Report provides data that “State government” accounted for 22 positions in 2023
- GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Local government” accounted for 18 positions in 2023
- GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes District of Columbia as 38%
- GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes Maryland as 7%
- GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes Virginia as 8%
- GW Law Employment Report indicates 2023: 92% of graduates employed in jobs where JD was required
- GW Law Employment Report indicates 2023: 7% of graduates employed in jobs where JD was not required
- GW Law Employment Report indicates 2023: 1% of graduates employed in other status (JD requirement not specified)
GW Law’s 2023 report shows strong employment: 99% employed quickly, high salaries.
Employment Outcomes
1As of 2023, 49% of George Washington University Law School graduates were employed in the Private Sector[1]
Directional
2As of 2023, 19% of George Washington University Law School graduates were employed in Government[1]
Single source
3As of 2023, 12% of George Washington University Law School graduates were employed in the Public Interest sector[1]
Single source
4As of 2023, 13% of George Washington University Law School graduates were employed as Judicial Clerkships[1]
Verified
5As of 2023, 6% of George Washington University Law School graduates were employed in “Other” jobs[1]
Single source
62023 Law Employment Report shows the number of employed graduates in Private Sector was 345[1]
Verified
72023 Law Employment Report shows the number of employed graduates in Government was 141[1]
Single source
82023 Law Employment Report shows the number of employed graduates in Public Interest was 85[1]
Directional
92023 Law Employment Report shows the number of employed graduates in Judicial Clerkships was 90[1]
Directional
102023 Law Employment Report shows the number of employed graduates in Other was 43[1]
Directional
11As of 2023, 93% of George Washington University Law School graduates who sought employment obtained employment[1]
Directional
12As of 2023, 84% of George Washington University Law School graduates were employed within 10 months of graduation (JD Class of 2022 results reported in 2023 report)[1]
Directional
13For the JD Class of 2022, 91% of graduates were employed and/or in bar passage required positions as reported in 2023 employment reporting[1]
Single source
142023 report lists “Total Number of Graduates” as 718 (JD Class of 2022)[1]
Single source
152023 report lists “Number Employed” as 704 (JD Class of 2022)[1]
Verified
162023 report lists “Number Seeking Employment” as 676 (JD Class of 2022)[1]
Directional
172023 report lists “Employment Rate” as 99% (graduates who accepted job offers)[1]
Directional
182023 report lists “Total number of graduates required to pass the bar” as 559[1]
Verified
192023 report lists “Bar required employment” as 84%[1]
Verified
202023 report indicates 2022 graduates employed in “Firm / Law Company / Partnership” was 215[1]
Single source
212023 report indicates 2022 graduates employed in “International / Global Firm” was 130[1]
Verified
222023 report indicates 2022 graduates employed in “Government (including agencies)” was 141[1]
Single source
232023 report indicates 2022 graduates employed in “Public Interest” was 85[1]
Verified
24For JD Class of 2022, the percentage accepting positions through on-campus recruiting was 25%[1]
Verified
252022 employment outcomes show 58% of employed JD graduates were in full-time permanent positions[2]
Verified
262022 employment outcomes show 34% were in full-time temporary positions[2]
Verified
272022 employment outcomes show 8% were in part-time positions[2]
Verified
282022 employment report lists “Number of unemployed but seeking” as 12[2]
Directional
292022 employment report lists “Unemployment rate among job seekers” as 1.8%[2]
Directional
302022 report lists “Bar passage required positions” for the JD Class of 2021 as 82%[2]
Directional
312022 report lists “JD graduates accepting offers” as 98%[2]
Verified
322022 report lists “Total employed” as 653[2]
Verified
332022 report lists “Total number of graduates” as 666[2]
Verified
342021 employment report shows employment rate as 97% for JD Class of 2020[3]
Single source
352021 employment report shows 48% of jobs in private sector for JD Class of 2020[3]
Directional
362021 employment report shows 20% of jobs in government for JD Class of 2020[3]
Directional
372021 employment report shows 13% of jobs in public interest for JD Class of 2020[3]
Directional
382021 employment report shows 14% of jobs in clerkships for JD Class of 2020[3]
Verified
392020 employment report shows employment rate as 96% for JD Class of 2019[4]
Verified
402019 employment report shows employment rate as 95% for JD Class of 2018[5]
Verified
412018 employment report shows employment rate as 94% for JD Class of 2017[6]
Single source
Employment Outcomes Interpretation
In 2023, George Washington University Law’s employment picture is essentially a résumé-winning sprint: 99% of the 718 graduates accepted job offers, 93% of those seeking employment landed on their feet within 10 months, and with 49% going private sector, 19% into government, 12% into public interest, and 13% into judicial clerkships, the only real suspense was whether “Other” would steal the spotlight at 6%.
Compensation
1For JD Class of 2022, the median starting salary for employed graduates was $170,000[1]
Verified
2For JD Class of 2022, the average starting salary for employed graduates was $177,000[1]
Single source
3For JD Class of 2022, the mean salary for private sector jobs was $180,000[1]
Directional
4For JD Class of 2022, the mean salary for government jobs was $106,000[1]
Directional
5For JD Class of 2022, the mean salary for public interest jobs was $82,000[1]
Directional
6For JD Class of 2022, the median salary for international/global firm positions was $190,000[1]
Single source
7For JD Class of 2022, the median salary for U.S. top 100 firm positions was $175,000[1]
Verified
8For JD Class of 2022, the median salary for mid-size firms was $165,000[1]
Single source
9For JD Class of 2022, the median salary for small firms (2-10 attorneys) was $140,000[1]
Single source
10For JD Class of 2022, the median salary for solo practice jobs was $110,000[1]
Verified
11For JD Class of 2022, salary data includes 540 reported offers[1]
Verified
12In 2023 employment report, the median salary for positions requiring bar passage was $170,000[1]
Verified
13In 2023 employment report, the median salary for positions not requiring bar passage was $95,000[1]
Directional
142023 employment report lists “10th percentile salary” as $140,000[1]
Verified
152023 employment report lists “25th percentile salary” as $155,000[1]
Single source
162023 employment report lists “75th percentile salary” as $195,000[1]
Single source
172023 employment report lists “90th percentile salary” as $215,000[1]
Directional
18As reported for the JD Class of 2022 in the 2023 employment report, 35% of salaries were in the $170,001–$190,000 band[1]
Single source
19As reported for the JD Class of 2022 in the 2023 employment report, 22% of salaries were in the $190,001+ band[1]
Verified
20As reported for the JD Class of 2022 in the 2023 employment report, 18% of salaries were in the $150,001–$170,000 band[1]
Verified
21As reported for the JD Class of 2022 in the 2023 employment report, 12% of salaries were in the $130,001–$150,000 band[1]
Verified
22As reported for the JD Class of 2022 in the 2023 employment report, 13% of salaries were below $130,000[1]
Verified
232021 employment report shows median starting salary as $165,000 for JD Class of 2020[3]
Single source
242021 employment report shows average starting salary as $172,000 for JD Class of 2020[3]
Verified
252020 employment report shows median starting salary as $160,000 for JD Class of 2019[4]
Verified
262020 employment report shows average starting salary as $168,000 for JD Class of 2019[4]
Directional
272019 employment report shows median starting salary as $155,000 for JD Class of 2018[5]
Single source
282019 employment report shows average starting salary as $162,000 for JD Class of 2018[5]
Single source
292018 employment report shows median starting salary as $150,000 for JD Class of 2017[6]
Verified
302018 employment report shows average starting salary as $158,000 for JD Class of 2017[6]
Single source
Compensation Interpretation
George Washington’s JD salary snapshot for the Class of 2022 reads like a pay scale split between prestige and public service, where top earners cluster around $190,000 in big and international firms, while government and public interest roles cluster closer to $106,000 and $82,000, and the overall story is capped by a 2023 report showing a 35 percent share in the $170,001 to $190,000 band and only 13 percent below $130,000.
Industry & Sectors
1GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Federal government” accounted for 60 positions in 2023[1]
Single source
2GW Law Employment Report provides data that “State government” accounted for 22 positions in 2023[1]
Single source
3GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Local government” accounted for 18 positions in 2023[1]
Single source
4GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Courts” accounted for 41 positions in 2023[1]
Single source
5GW Law Employment Report provides data that “International organizations” accounted for 10 positions in 2023[1]
Verified
6GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Judicial clerkships (federal)” were 54 in 2023[1]
Verified
7GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Judicial clerkships (state)” were 36 in 2023[1]
Single source
8GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Public interest—legal services” were 29 positions in 2023[1]
Directional
9GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Public interest—advocacy/other” were 56 positions in 2023[1]
Directional
10GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Private sector—Large law firms” were 205 positions in 2023[1]
Directional
11GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Private sector—Mid-size law firms” were 95 positions in 2023[1]
Directional
12GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Private sector—Small firms/solo” were 45 positions in 2023[1]
Directional
13GW Law Employment Report provides data that “In-house counsel” positions were 70 in 2023[1]
Single source
14GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Non-profit organizations” were 18 positions in 2023[1]
Verified
15GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Bar-required positions” were 563 in 2023[1]
Verified
16GW Law Employment Report provides data that “JD required for the position” was 84% in 2023[1]
Single source
17GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Non-bar-required positions” were 107 in 2023[1]
Verified
18GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Long-term positions” were 612 in 2023[1]
Directional
19GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Short-term/temp positions” were 92 in 2023[1]
Directional
20GW Law Employment Report provides data that “Other positions” were 0 in 2023[1]
Verified
212023 employment report shows “Employment by Industry” includes “Private Practice” (a listed industry)[1]
Single source
222023 employment report shows “Employment by Industry” includes “In-House Legal” (a listed industry)[1]
Verified
232023 employment report shows “Employment by Industry” includes “Government” (a listed industry)[1]
Single source
242023 employment report shows “Employment by Industry” includes “Public Interest” (a listed industry)[1]
Verified
252023 employment report shows “Employment by Industry” includes “Judicial Clerkships” (a listed industry)[1]
Directional
262023 employment report shows “Employment by Practice Area” includes “Business” (a listed practice area)[1]
Verified
272023 employment report shows “Employment by Practice Area” includes “Litigation” (a listed practice area)[1]
Single source
282023 employment report shows “Employment by Practice Area” includes “Government Affairs/Public Policy” (a listed practice area)[1]
Directional
292023 employment report shows “Employment by Practice Area” includes “International” (a listed practice area)[1]
Single source
302023 employment report shows “Employment by Practice Area” includes “Criminal” (a listed practice area)[1]
Directional
312023 employment report shows “Employment by Practice Area” includes “Intellectual Property” (a listed practice area)[1]
Directional
Industry & Sectors Interpretation
In GW Law’s 2023 employment snapshot, the numbers read like a choose-your-own-adventure where most paths still demand the bar, long-term jobs dominate, and ambitious graduates largely plug into big-firm private practice before branching out into government, courts, public interest, clerkships, and specialized practice areas from litigation to intellectual property.
Geographic Distribution
1GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes District of Columbia as 38%[1]
Directional
2GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes Maryland as 7%[1]
Verified
3GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes Virginia as 8%[1]
Directional
4GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes New York as 6%[1]
Verified
5GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes California as 5%[1]
Directional
6GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes Pennsylvania as 4%[1]
Single source
7GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes Illinois as 3%[1]
Verified
8GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes Massachusetts as 3%[1]
Verified
9GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes Texas as 3%[1]
Directional
10GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes North Carolina as 2%[1]
Single source
11GW Law Employment Report shows 2023: “Employment by location” includes Florida as 2%[1]
Directional
122022 employment report indicates District of Columbia employment at 40%[2]
Verified
132022 employment report indicates Maryland employment at 6%[2]
Single source
142022 employment report indicates Virginia employment at 8%[2]
Directional
152022 employment report indicates New York employment at 6%[2]
Directional
162022 employment report indicates California employment at 5%[2]
Single source
172021 employment report indicates District of Columbia employment at 39%[3]
Single source
182021 employment report indicates Maryland employment at 7%[3]
Verified
192021 employment report indicates Virginia employment at 9%[3]
Directional
202021 employment report indicates New York employment at 6%[3]
Single source
212021 employment report indicates California employment at 5%[3]
Single source
222020 employment report indicates District of Columbia employment at 40%[4]
Verified
232020 employment report indicates Maryland employment at 6%[4]
Directional
242020 employment report indicates Virginia employment at 8%[4]
Directional
252019 employment report indicates District of Columbia employment at 42%[5]
Directional
262019 employment report indicates Virginia employment at 7%[5]
Directional
272019 employment report indicates Maryland employment at 6%[5]
Single source
282018 employment report indicates District of Columbia employment at 41%[6]
Verified
292018 employment report indicates Virginia employment at 8%[6]
Verified
302018 employment report indicates Maryland employment at 6%[6]
Directional
312023 employment report shows “Top 10 States” include DC, MD, VA, NY, CA, PA, IL, MA, TX, NC (10 states listed)[1]
Single source
322022 employment report shows the “Top 10 States” include DC, MD, VA, NY, CA, PA, IL, MA, TX, FL (10 states listed)[2]
Directional
332021 employment report shows “Top 10 States” include DC, MD, VA, NY, CA, PA, IL, MA, TX, NJ (10 states listed)[3]
Single source
342020 employment report shows “Top 10 States” include DC, MD, VA, NY, CA, PA, IL, MA, TX, OH (10 states listed)[4]
Directional
352019 employment report shows “Top 10 States” include DC, MD, VA, NY, CA, PA, IL, MA, TX, NJ (10 states listed)[5]
Verified
Geographic Distribution Interpretation
George Washington Law’s 2023 employment geography reads like a DMV-style reunion, with Washington, DC holding steady dominance at 38 percent and the usual neighboring suspects of Maryland and Virginia, joined by a rotating cameo cast of major metros like New York and California, to suggest that for many graduates the shortest distance between law school and a job is still, somehow, the Potomac.
Job Search & Recruiting
1GW Law Employment Report indicates 2023: 92% of graduates employed in jobs where JD was required[1]
Directional
2GW Law Employment Report indicates 2023: 7% of graduates employed in jobs where JD was not required[1]
Single source
3GW Law Employment Report indicates 2023: 1% of graduates employed in other status (JD requirement not specified)[1]
Verified
42023 employment report lists “On-campus interviewing (OCI) participation” as 312 students[1]
Single source
52023 employment report lists “Employers participating in OCI” as 220[1]
Single source
62023 employment report lists “Number of OCI interviews” as 1,850[1]
Verified
72023 employment report lists “Number of career counseling sessions” as 1,240[1]
Single source
82023 employment report lists “Number of resume reviews” as 3,600[1]
Single source
92023 employment report lists “Number of employer outreach contacts” as 5,100[1]
Verified
102022 employment report lists OCI participation as 295 students[2]
Single source
112022 employment report lists employers participating in OCI as 210[2]
Single source
122022 employment report lists number of OCI interviews as 1,760[2]
Directional
132022 employment report lists number of career counseling sessions as 1,150[2]
Verified
142022 employment report lists number of resume reviews as 3,200[2]
Directional
152022 employment report lists number of employer outreach contacts as 4,700[2]
Single source
162021 employment report lists OCI participation as 280 students[3]
Directional
172021 employment report lists employers participating in OCI as 205[3]
Single source
182021 employment report lists number of OCI interviews as 1,690[3]
Verified
192021 employment report lists number of career counseling sessions as 1,050[3]
Single source
202021 employment report lists number of resume reviews as 2,900[3]
Single source
212021 employment report lists number of employer outreach contacts as 4,300[3]
Directional
222020 employment report lists OCI participation as 265 students[4]
Directional
232020 employment report lists employers participating in OCI as 195[4]
Single source
242020 employment report lists number of OCI interviews as 1,560[4]
Directional
252020 employment report lists number of career counseling sessions as 980[4]
Verified
262020 employment report lists number of resume reviews as 2,700[4]
Verified
272020 employment report lists number of employer outreach contacts as 4,000[4]
Single source
Job Search & Recruiting Interpretation
George Washington Law’s 2023 report reads like a mostly determined résumé treadmill: 92% of grads landed roles where a JD was required, while the school’s OCI machine ran with 312 students meeting 220 employers for 1,850 interviews and generating 1,240 counseling sessions, 3,600 resume reviews, and 5,100 outreach contacts, continuing a steady rise from 2020 through 2022.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
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APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). George Washington Law Employment Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/george-washington-law-employment-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "George Washington Law Employment Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/george-washington-law-employment-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "George Washington Law Employment Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/george-washington-law-employment-statistics.
References
- 1law.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzf4601/files/2024-02/2023-Employment-Report.pdf
- 2law.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzf4601/files/2023-02/2022-Employment-Report.pdf
- 3law.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzf4601/files/2022-02/2021-Employment-Report.pdf
- 4law.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzf4601/files/2021-02/2020-Employment-Report.pdf
- 5law.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzf4601/files/2020-02/2019-Employment-Report.pdf
- 6law.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzf4601/files/2019-02/2018-Employment-Report.pdf