Associate Bonuses in 2026: What Attorneys Should Know
October 16, 2026
Bonus season is starting early this year, and associates are watching to see whether the market holds steady or moves again.
The benchmark so far
Cravath has not yet announced its 2026 year-end bonuses. Its November 2025 scale is still the market reference, and firms are still using it. Cravath’s year-end bonuses were unchanged from 2021, and it added a separate special bonus on top. Many of the firms that matched Cravath last year added a special bonus too.
| Class year | Year-end | Special | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (prorated) | $15,000 | $6,000 | $21,000 |
| 2024 | $20,000 | $6,000 | $26,000 |
| 2023 | $30,000 | $10,000 | $40,000 |
| 2022 | $57,500 | $15,000 | $72,500 |
| 2021 | $75,000 | $20,000 | $95,000 |
| 2020 | $90,000 | $25,000 | $115,000 |
| 2019 | $105,000 | $25,000 | $130,000 |
| 2018 | $115,000 | $25,000 | $140,000 |
What’s new this year
Special bonuses have started arriving before year-end. In late July, Milbank announced specials of $6,000 to $25,000, paid by August 31 with no hours requirement. In late September, Cahill Gordon & Reindel followed with a similar range, payable October 15. These are early signs that firms are still using one-time payments to stay competitive without raising base pay further.
Watch the hours requirement
Cravath says it does not use hours to decide bonuses. Last year, other firms did tie bonuses to hours: Skadden asked for 1,800, Ropes & Gray 1,900, and Paul Hastings 2,000. Always check a firm’s requirement before you count on a bonus.
Outside Big Law
Midsize and regional firms rarely publish their bonus scales. Their bonuses depend on hours, firm performance and practice area. If your firm doesn’t publish a scale, ask a recruiter how your compensation compares.
If you’re considering a move
Timing matters. Bonuses are often paid around year-end, and a lateral move can affect whether you receive one. Talk with us confidentially before you decide.
Figures are drawn from public news reports and may change as firms announce their 2026 bonuses.