The government attorney whose role is to bring criminal cases on behalf of the public — making charging decisions, handling pretrial work, negotiating pleas, and trying cases — at the front line of how the state pursues and resolves criminal allegations.
Prosecutor pay typically runs $100K–$215K at this level, and jobs in this field are projected to grow 4% through 2034.
Most days tend to involve a fast rhythm of court appearances, file review, witness preparation, and the procedural choreography of moving cases from arrest to disposition. You'll often handle arraignments and motion hearings in the morning, work on upcoming trials or pleas in the afternoon, and coordinate with police, victims' advocates, and witness coordinators throughout the week.
The hardest parts tend to be the volume, the moral seriousness of charging discretion, and the emotional intensity of victim and witness work. Plea negotiations are the day-to-day reality, and finding the right outcome with limited information can be hard. Office culture varies a lot — large metro offices specialize early into vertical units; smaller offices push generalist work, where you may handle DUIs one day and a homicide the next.
People who tend to thrive here are resilient, comfortable in courtrooms, and able to hold both empathy for victims and the burden of charging power. Compensation tends to be modest, especially compared with private practice, which becomes a real factor as student loans bite. If you find purpose in standing in court as the voice of the state, the role can be both formative and deeply meaningful.
Still figuring out what you want to become
when you grow up?
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Your job belongs to your employer.
Your career belongs to you.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
The government attorney whose role is to bring criminal cases on behalf of the public — making charging decisions, handling pretrial work, negotiating pleas, and trying cases — at the front line of how the state pursues and resolves criminal allegations.
Median pay for a Prosecutor is about $151K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $73K to $208K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Speaking, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and Writing.
Most people in this role hold a professional degree.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 4.1% through 2034, with roughly 747,750 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Junior Prosecutor, Junior Title Lawyer, and Cyber Legal Advisor.
Do one small thing to grow in your career this week. Pick one of these; each comes with the words to use.
More career advice
We believe careers grow through small steps taken often, more than big leaps. So we’ve collected hundreds of them for you to try.
Browse career adviceDon't know if you want to stay in your job?
Get your career on record. Then decide.
Don't know if you want to stay in your job?
Get your career on record. Then decide.