Israeli Law Interns Earn Between NIS 7,500 and NIS 12,000 Monthly
Interns at Israeli law firms earn between 7,500 and 12,000 shekels gross per month, with salaries largely determined by firm size. Large firms in Tel Aviv's skyscrapers offer a uniform gross salary of 11,500 shekels. Medium-sized firms (40-69 lawyers) pay between 9,000 and 10,500 shekels, while smaller firms (up to 39 lawyers) offer 7,500 to 9,000 shekels. Boutique firms specializing in a single area can reach 10,500 to 12,300 shekels. All these ranges exceed the minimum wage of 6,443.85 shekels per month but fall below the average salary for salaried employees, which is between 14,000 and 15,000 shekels.
The salary for interns at large firms has remained stagnant for four years. While the cost of living has risen approximately 12% since the last adjustment, full indexation would bring the monthly salary to around 13,000 shekels. Instead, these firms compete by offering benefits such as funding for bar exam preparation courses, meals, gym memberships, shorter workweeks, retention bonuses, and private health insurance. In contrast, smaller and medium-sized firms have seen the lower end of their salary range increase by about 1,000 shekels in the past year.
There is no specific law dictating intern salaries, nor does the Israel Bar Association mandate a fee. Standard labor laws apply, meaning interns are considered employees entitled to minimum wage, overtime, and vacation days. Labor courts have previously ruled in favor of interns who received less than the minimum wage. Internships in the State Attorney's Office, Public Defense, and courts are closer to minimum wage, approximately 5,000 shekels less than top firms, but offer reasonable hours and a connection to public service.
The choice of internship firm significantly impacts an intern's earnings, often more than academic grades. The salary gap between small and large firms, around 4,000 shekels monthly, persists even after obtaining a license. After passing the bar exam, the average salary in the legal field is about 20,600 shekels, with variations based on specialization. High-tech law pays 21,900 shekels after three to five years, while corporate legal counsel earns an average of 27,900 shekels, and chief legal officers can reach 42,000 to 45,000 shekels. Bonuses at large firms have become less common, with only 31% of interns receiving one in the past year, down from 73% the previous year.
Intern salaries abroad differ significantly. In the US, there is no mandatory internship year, and graduates take the bar exam directly. The median salary for an American lawyer is about $159,670 annually (approximately 527,000 shekels). In Germany, interns receive a living stipend of around 1,611 euros per month (about 6,200 shekels), though this allows them access to judicial and prosecution roles upon completion.
