LL.M Scope: Salary, Job Roles, Career after LL.M
Diya NihalaniContent Author
Career options for LLMs can include legal advisors and corporate counsels playing important roles in managing contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance, safeguarding intellectual property and mitigating legal risks for different companies. It can also include litigators, arbitrators, and mediators, particularly in the growing fields of commercial and international dispute resolution. LLM degree serves as an important catalyst for career advancement in Law allowing the law students to gain expertise in specialised legal domains.LLM salaries after completing the course can vary on the basis of experience levels, position and skills. For example legal advisors can earn from INR 5 to INR 8 LPA while corporate counsels may see salary that is ranging from INR 6 to INR 12 LPA. Academic and research positions generally offers salaries in the range of INR 4 to INR 9 LPA. Associates in top tier law firms may demand higher salaries between INR 10 to INR 18 LPA. The income of independent litigators and arbitrators is more variable increasing substantially with experience and a growing client base.
Top recruiters for LLM students such as Amarchand & Mangaldas, AZB & Partners, Trilegal and Khaitan & Co. Major corporations like Infosys, Reliance and Tata Group along with leading banks such as ICICI and HDFC to hire legal experts within their in house legal teams. In the public sector opportunities exist with bodies like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Ministry of Law and Justice and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as ONGC and SAIL.
LLM Career: Quick Facts
Below are some interesting facts related to LLM careers in India:
- As per UGC guidelines, an LLM is the minimum qualification required to become an Assistant Professor in law colleges and universities across India.
- Leading law firms like AZB & Partners, Trilegal, and Khaitan & Co frequently prefer LLM graduates for specialized roles in areas such as M&A, arbitration, and IPR.
- The most favored LLM specialisations include Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Corporate & Business Law, Intellectual Property Rights, and International Law.
LLM Salary in India
LLM is a two-year postgraduate course in law, also known as Master of Laws. It is designed to master over a particular specialisation of law. It helps in enhancing knowledge on a particular area of law so that candidates are able to conduct research on their particular area of specialisation. This course is pursued after completing three-year or five-year LLB.
Professionals and recent graduates who are interested in pursuing a particular area under law seek admission to this course. It is an undeniable fact that a candidate studies more than 30 different law papers across a span of three years or five years of law school. LLM offers expertise in one particular field of law, which provides the platform to make a mark in a niche area of law. Some of the top fields popular amongst candidates are Civil Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Law, Corporate Law, Company Law, Cyber Law, Environment Law, etc.
Average Annual LLM Salary in India
Entry-level positions in both sectors may start at the lower end of these ranges. Moreover, salary increases with experience in both government and private sectors. Senior roles can command significantly higher packages.
Below is the salary idea in both sectors for LLM graduates:
|
Sector |
Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
|
Government |
INR 4 LPA - INR 15 LPA |
|
Private |
INR 6 LPA - INR 18 LPA |
Specialisation-Wise LLM Salary in India
Some fields like Corporate Law, Banking & Finance Law and Intellectual Property Law tend to offer higher salary package due to their commercial relevance and growing global demand. Below Mentioned is a detailed breakdown of the average annual salary ranges for popular LLM specialisations:
|
Specialisation |
Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
|
Corporate Law |
INR 6 LPA - INR 20 LPA+ |
|
Intellectual Property (IP) Law |
INR 5 LPA - INR 15 LPA+ |
|
International Law |
INR 5 LPA - INR 15 LPA+ |
|
Tax Law |
INR 4.5 LPA - INR 12 LPA+ |
|
Litigation (Civil/Criminal) |
INR 3 LPA - INR 10 LPA+ |
|
Constitutional Law |
INR 4 LPA - INR 9 LPA+ |
|
Criminal Law |
INR 3.5 LPA - INR 10 LPA+ |
|
Cyber Law |
INR 4 LPA - INR 10 LPA+ |
|
Banking and Finance Law |
INR 6 LPA - INR 15 LPA+ |
|
Environmental Law |
INR 3.5 LPA - INR 8 LPA+ |
|
Human Rights Law |
INR 4 LPA - INR 9 LPA+ |
|
Labour and Employment Law |
INR 3.5 LPA - INR 8 LPA+ |
|
Real Estate and Infrastructure Law |
INR 4 LPA - INR 10 LPA+ |
Experience Wise LLM Salary in India
While entry level roles offer decent salaries, professionals with specialised legal expertise and a strong track record can achieve a good financial growth over the time. Whether working in law firms, corporate legal departments, academics or as independent practitioners, LLM graduates often see their value rise with exposure to complex legal matters, leadership roles and client management.
The table below shows the average salaries based on years of experience:
|
Experience Level |
Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
|
Entry-Level (0-3 years) |
INR 4 Lakhs - INR 8 Lakhs |
|
Mid-Level (3-7 years) |
INR 8 Lakhs - INR 15 Lakhs |
|
Senior-Level (7-15 years) |
INR 15 Lakhs - INR 30 Lakhs+ |
|
15+ Years |
INR 30 Lakhs - INR 1 Crore+ |
LLM Careers
After pursuing an LLM course, students can opt for further studies wherein they pursue either MPhil or PhD in Law. But, if candidates want to pursue a career in the field of law then he/ she can go through the below-mentioned job profiles. Aspirants are informed that in order to practice law in India, they need to clear the All India Bar Exam (AIBE)
LLM Jobs and Salary
|
LLM Job Profile |
Job Description |
LLM Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Legal Profession |
||
|
Specialized Lawyer |
Practices law in a specific area of expertise, such as corporate, tax, intellectual property, or international law |
INR 15 - 60+ LPA |
|
Senior Associate |
Provides advanced legal services and mentorship to junior lawyers in a law firm |
INR 20 - 50+ LPA |
|
Partner/Equity Partner |
Owns and manages a law firm, leads high-profile cases, and shares in the firm's profits |
INR 30 - 100+ LPA |
|
Legal Consultant |
Provides specialized legal expertise and advisory services to clients in complex matters |
INR 20 - 70+ LPA |
|
|
Government |
|
|
Judicial Officer (Higher Judiciary) |
Serves as a judge or magistrate in higher courts, such as High Courts or the Supreme Court |
INR 20 - 40+ LPA |
|
Senior Legal Advisor |
Provides high-level legal counsel and support to government agencies and policymakers |
INR 15 - 40+ LPA |
|
Legislative Drafter |
Drafts and reviews legislation, policies, and regulations for the government |
INR 15 - 30+ LPA |
|
|
Corporate Sector |
|
|
General Counsel |
Leads the legal department and provides strategic legal guidance to an organization |
INR 25 - 80+ LPA |
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
Oversees an organization's compliance with laws, regulations, and industry standards |
INR 20 - 50+ LPA |
|
Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyer |
Specialises in complex corporate transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures |
INR 20 - 60+ LPA |
|
|
Academics |
|
|
Law Professor (Senior) |
Teaches advanced law courses, conducts research, and supervises doctoral students in academic institutions |
INR 20 - 50+ LPA |
|
Legal Researcher (Senior) |
Leads in-depth legal research and analysis for academic, policy, or advisory purposes |
INR 15 - 40+ LPA |
|
Dean/Director of Law School |
Manages and provides strategic leadership for a law school or department |
INR 25 - 60+ LPA |
|
|
International Organisations |
|
|
International Law Specialist |
Advises and represents international organizations, such as the UN, World Bank, or IMF, on legal matters |
INR 25 - 80+ LPA |
|
Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs Lawyer |
Provides legal support and counsel in the field of international diplomacy and foreign relations |
INR 20 - 50+ LPA |
|
Multinational Legal Advisor |
Advises and assists multinational corporations on cross-border legal issues |
INR 20 - 60 LPA |
Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.
Top Recruiters for LLM Professionals
The ever-increasing scope of law across global platform has increased the need of trained legal professionals dealing with a wide range of legal areas such as civil laws, corporate laws and intellectual property laws.
Some of the top recruiters for LLM course are as follows:
- Trilegal
- Manupatra
- LexisNexis
- Quislex
- Mindcrest
- Juris Corp
- Linklaters LLP
- Majumdar and Co
- AZB & Partners
- L&L Partners
- Khaitan and Co
- Law Commission of India
Top LLM Colleges For Placement
The below-mentioned table provides information on the average annual package offered in placements in the respective colleges.
|
College |
Average Annual Package in INR |
|---|---|
|
National Law School of India University, Bangalore |
INR 15 LPA |
|
National Academy of Legal Study & Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad |
INR 16.50 LPA |
|
National Law Institute University, Bhopal |
INR 14 LPA |
|
National Law University, Jodhpur |
INR 14.50 LPA |
|
National Law University, Delhi |
INR 15 LPA |
|
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow |
INR 10 lakh |
|
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala |
INR 6.5 LPA |
|
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata |
INR 15 LPA |
|
Symbiosis Law School, Pune |
INR 8 LPA |
|
KIIT School of Law, Bhubaneswar |
INR 7 LPA |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on LLM Career
Q. What is LLM?
A. LLM or Master of Laws is a two-year post-graduation course in Law which can be pursued after completing three-year or five-year LLB program. It is a specialisation course which allows candidates to specialise in the various branches of law as per their requirement.
Q. How does pursuing LLM benefit in career growth?
A. LLM surely gives an edge over those who have only pursued three-year LLB or five-year LLB course. One who has pursued LLM possess knowledge over his subject specialisation due to in-depth study on one particular field. For research and academic career, it is a mandatory course which has to be pursued by candidates.
Q. What is the scope of LLM?
A. After completing LLM, one has many career options such as Judiciary, Academics, Litigation, Consultancy etc. LLM candidates are given preference over graduates for research projects and teaching assistantship. Therefore, LLM has a promising career scope.
Q. What are the duties and responsibilities of a Judge/Magistrate?
A. Becoming a judge is the most sought after career option due to the power and prestige that it holds. A judge or magistrate is responsible for adjudicating disputes and deciding validity and constitutionality of various laws. They are responsible for delivering judgments for disputes or social issues.
Q. What are the job profiles after completing LLM?
A. There are many job profiles offered after completing an LLM degree. Some of them are mentioned below with their average salry:
| Job Profile | Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Advocate | INR 4 LPA |
| Solicitor | INR 4 LPA |
| Judge | INR 10 LPA |
| Legal Advisor | INR 6 LPA |
| Notary |
INR 4 LPA |
| Oath Commissioner |
INR 4.5 LPA |
Q. What are the various specialisations offered in LLM?
A. Many top colleges offer various specialisations in LLM ranging from Civil to Criminal Law. Some of the most popular specialisations which are pursued by candidates are:
- Constitutional Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Criminal Law
- International Law
- Environmental Law
- Human Rights Law
Q. What are the salaries offered after completing LLM?
A. The salary offered after completing LLM varies across various professions. The average salary offered across all domains to a fresher range between INR 3.5 LPA- 5.5 LPA whereas for experienced professionals it ranges from INR 6 LPA- 8 LPA.
Q. Which are the top industries hiring professionals who have completed LLM?
A. The top industries hiring professionals who have completed LLM includes:
- Consultancy House
- Legal Process Outsourcing Companies
- Real Estate Firms
- NGOs
- Public Policy Institutes
- Academic or Research Institutions
Q. What are the top government colleges offering LLM?
A. The government colleges which are popular for pursuing LLM include the following:
- National Law School of India University, Bangalore
- NALSAR, Hyderabad
- National University for Juridical Sciences, Kolkata
- Banaras Hindu University, Banaras
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
- Faculty of Law, Delhi University
Q. What are the top private colleges offering LLM?
A. The top private colleges offering LLM course are as follows:
- Christ University, Bangalore
- Symbiosis Law School, Pune
- Amity University, Noida
- ICFAI Law School, Dehradun
- UPES Dehradun
Q. Which are the top recruiters for LLM?
A. The top recruiters for LLM include law firms and consulting houses. Some of these recruiters include:
- Luthra and Luthra
- Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
- S&R Associates
- AZB & Partners
- Quislex
- Mindcrest
- Pangae Ltd.
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Q. How stable is LLM career compared to other fields?
A. Law is required in almost every section of the society including government, corporates, and private practices. So in comparison to other sectors LLM and other Law professions will always be in demand, as the complexities are increasing.
Q. Is LLM a compulsory degree to pursue law as a profession?
A. No, one who has completed an LLB degree either three-year duration after graduation or five-year duration, after class 12th makes them eligible enough to pursue law as a profession. An LLM degree is pursued by those who want to learn more in a specialisation. However, in both cases, they have to appear for AIBE conducted by BCI to be able to get a 'Certificate of Practice'.
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News & Updates
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
INR 50,000 is the one-time advance/admission fee that students must pay after being selected for the LLM course at MS Ramaiah College of Law through the admission test and personal / telephonic interview rounds to confirm their seat at the institute.
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
CMR University School of Legal Studies offers LLM programme with the comprehensive understanding of the core Law subjects. The career options after LLM course are Legal counsellor, Corportae Lawyer, Legal Reformer, Advocate, Judge Advocate Journal, Assisatant Professor, Legal Researcher, etc.
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, Chandigarh University is a very good option for pursuing LLM after completing your LLB. The University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) offers a curriculum that focuses on both theoretical and practical aspects of law. The teaching environment is participative, supportive, and designed to help
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
The tuition fee for LLM at Humboldt Uni of Berlin is EUR 15,000 (EURO 7,500 per semester). Also, for this coursey, partial or full tuition waivers are granted. In addition to the tuition fee, the students are required to pay a Student Union fee which is of around EUR 355 per semester.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Chandigarh University offers an LLM programme with multiple specializations that allow students to focus on their preferred legal fields. The available options include Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Constitutional Law, International Law, Cyber Law, and Human Rights
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
If you want to get an LLM in the future, Chandigarh University is a great choice. The law school focuses on giving students a good mix of theory and practice. Students learn a lot through moot courts, practicing writing legal documents, talking to legal experts, and getting to know people in the jud
R
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Chandigarh University's LLM programme is for students who have completed their LLB with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university. The course is one year long, divided into semesters, and the semester fee is ₹84,000. This includes access to academic resources, faculty guidance, law library
A
Beginner-Level 3
Answered a week ago
Yes, pursuing an LL.M. at Chandigarh University is a good option after completing your LL.B. The University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) offers a comprehensive curriculum with multiple specializations, allowing students to focus on areas such as corporate law, criminal law, intellectual propert
S
Beginner-Level 3
Answered a week ago
Chandigarh University offers excellent practical exposure for both LLB and LLM students through its University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS). The campus has fully equipped moot courts, legal research labs, and computer labs, where students regularly practice drafting, case analysis, and advocacy
a
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 weeks ago
The total tuition fees of the LLM course at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Silvassa is INR 1.2 lakh. The overall fees has multiple fees such as security deposits, exam fees, hostel and mess fees, etc.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The LLM is a popular programme at GNLU. Moreover, Gujarat National Law University is a leading law institute and a good choice for LLM program. Check out the GNLU placements 2022 to 2024 for LLM taken from NIRF 2025:
Particulars | Placement Statistics (2022) | Placement Statistics (2023) | Placement Statistics (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
Median Package | INR 4.2 LPA (LLM) | INR 6 LPA (LLM) | INR 6.2 LPA (LLM) |
Students Placed | 35 (LLM) | 52 (LLM) | 43 (LLM) |
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Students willing to stay back in Australia after graduating with an LLM should apply for a 'Temporary Graduate Subclass 485' visa. To be eligible students must have the following
- Students must have been in Australia for a minimum of 16 months.
- Students must have hold a students visa in the last 6 mon
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Any course in Australia requires student visa Masters in Law degree requires visa which falls under Subclass 500 visa. Student is allowed to stay in Australia for period of upto 5 years. The duration of your stay must align with the duration of your course. With this visa you are allowed to work in
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Choosing an LL.M. is not only about degree, it is about learning environment. Chandigarh University gives a platform where legal study is mixed with research, debate and practice. The programme includes study of advanced law subjects with case studies and discussions. Students also join moot court a
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 months ago
Academic details, proficiency in English language and job experience are requirements for pursuing LLM in the UK. In addition to proving their English language ability with their IELTS and TOEFL scores, students must have a bachelor's degree in law or its equivalent. Additionally, students with rele
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
There are many top universities in the UK, such as the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, LSE, and many more, that offer diverse specializations which can further lead to good job opportunities for the graduates in top companies. Some of the popular specializations include Internatio
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
After completing LLM from UK, international students have various job sectors such as law firms, government and public service, financial institutions, human rights organizations, international agencies, etc. Students can grab job roles like Legal Advisor, Corporate Lawyer, Compliance Officer, Polic
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
LLM in the UK is a postgraduate degree which is ideal for students who are interested in fields such as:
International Law
Commercial or Corporate Law
Intellectual Property Law
Criminal Law
Environmental Law
Students can upgrade their skills in a particular specialization. Legal professionals, legal
K
Contributor-Level 10
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