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Prosecutors are officers of the court who administer justice.
They have to seek to protect the innocent and to convict guilty parties.
People who want to become prosecutors need to know what prosecutors do and the skills and knowledge that they need for this career.
Learning how to become a prosecutor helps people who want to advance their careers or who want to become prosecutors.
Following a list of steps to becoming a prosecutor, and knowing the interpersonal skills that prosecutors need, are all things that help people who choose this career.
Learn about the job outlook, salary, and job satisfaction rate when considering whether becoming a prosecutor is the right career for you.
Job Description
Prosecutors represent the government in the prosecution of criminal cases.
They investigate cases and present them in court to secure a conviction.
The public and the courts may refer to prosecutors by other names, including the district attorney (DA) or the public prosecutor.
Prosecutors need to have a deep understanding of criminal law and the criminal justice process.
They also need to act in the public interest within the bounds of the law.
They do not act in the interests of other law enforcement officials who may be involved in their cases.
Prosecutors may engage in community outreach or other efforts to promote a sense of security.
Some duties of prosecutors include:
- Assessing evidence that is gathered by law enforcement officials and presented to the prosecutor’s office
- Engaging in legal research
- Building and presenting cases against people or entities who are accused of committing crimes
- Engaging in activities such as filing pretrial motions, plea bargain negotiations, and hearings
- Presenting cases in courts to secure convictions from the judge or jury
- Maintaining organized and accurate case files
- Respecting the legal rights and the constitutional rights of all persons involved, including the accused
- Working with a strong sense of ethics
Prosecutors also participate in training programs and continuing education, regardless of whether they are new prosecutors or experienced prosecutors.
Salary
Some sources do not list the salaries of prosecutors but instead include them in their salary information for all lawyers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is one of those sources.
The Bureau indicates that the median pay for lawyers in 2024 was $151,160.
The average hourly wage was $72.67 per hour.
Sources also vary in what they list as the average annual salary for prosecutors.
Salary experts list the average base salary for prosecutors in the U.S. in 2025 as being $135,278.
Other sources indicate that the average salary for prosecutors in the U.S., as of May 1, 2025, is $105,619.
The salary range for prosecutors is between $90,519 to $122,636.
Several things can affect the salary of prosecutors.
Experience, education, and location may affect their salary.
The average salary for a prosecutor who works in New York is $112,284.
It is $116,498 in California and $97,033 in Alabama.
Choose to work as a prosecutor in Washington, D.C., and earn an average salary of $116,492.
U.S. Average Salary: $176,470
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 6,660 | $135,680 | $65.23 | $212,620 | $60,040 |
| Alaska | 1,050 | $136,740 | $65.74 | $185,180 | $83,450 |
| Arizona | 9,920 | $152,690 | $73.41 | $# | $74,050 |
| Arkansas | 3,360 | $113,860 | $54.74 | $208,680 | $35,980 |
| California | 94,300 | $213,860 | $102.8 | $# | $97,220 |
| Colorado | 16,680 | $194,760 | $93.64 | $# | $78,710 |
| Connecticut | 8,230 | $195,730 | $94.10 | $# | $79,160 |
| Delaware | 2,830 | $212,360 | $102.0 | $# | $99,850 |
| D.C. | 34,660 | $238,990 | $114.9 | $# | $112,010 |
| Florida | 61,320 | $147,320 | $70.83 | $# | $57,890 |
| Georgia | 22,370 | $169,870 | $81.67 | $# | $61,550 |
| Hawaii | 2,300 | $117,620 | $56.55 | $170,340 | $77,520 |
| Idaho | 2,470 | $118,500 | $56.97 | $196,360 | $51,990 |
| Illinois | 31,280 | $178,380 | $85.76 | $# | $67,620 |
| Indiana | 8,890 | $144,500 | $69.47 | $# | $67,060 |
| Iowa | 3,750 | $125,090 | $60.14 | $199,680 | $63,670 |
| Kansas | 4,000 | $124,700 | $59.95 | $205,420 | $60,570 |
| Kentucky | 5,680 | $112,900 | $54.28 | $201,890 | $49,050 |
| Louisiana | 8,720 | $135,780 | $65.28 | $233,410 | $58,000 |
| Maine | 1,970 | $117,960 | $56.71 | $210,160 | $59,550 |
| Maryland | 14,700 | $159,510 | $76.69 | $# | $70,380 |
| Massachusetts | 21,770 | $188,960 | $90.85 | $# | $76,060 |
| Michigan | 15,870 | $137,960 | $66.33 | $215,040 | $62,820 |
| Minnesota | 11,560 | $163,560 | $78.63 | $# | $78,650 |
| Mississippi | 3,320 | $114,400 | $55.00 | $199,990 | $46,870 |
| Missouri | 12,800 | $146,870 | $70.61 | $226,670 | $63,500 |
| Montana | 2,390 | $102,480 | $49.27 | $171,340 | $56,090 |
| Nebraska | 3,550 | $124,780 | $59.99 | $209,290 | $64,040 |
| Nevada | 6,580 | $159,840 | $76.85 | $# | $71,140 |
| New Hampshire | ** | $146,840 | $70.60 | $218,440 | $73,120 |
| New Jersey | 25,680 | $177,230 | $85.21 | $# | $79,800 |
| New Mexico | 3,590 | $117,340 | $56.41 | $188,870 | $61,670 |
| New York | 86,000 | $208,480 | $100.2 | $# | $78,310 |
| North Carolina | 16,080 | $165,410 | $79.52 | $# | $59,450 |
| North Dakota | 1,080 | $128,030 | $61.55 | $210,110 | $78,020 |
| Ohio | 18,650 | $139,790 | $67.21 | $234,310 | $63,150 |
| Oklahoma | 5,590 | $127,010 | $61.06 | $212,360 | $63,760 |
| Oregon | 7,270 | $151,770 | $72.97 | $# | $61,260 |
| Pennsylvania | 25,990 | $159,290 | $76.58 | $# | $63,030 |
| Rhode Island | 2,100 | $150,810 | $72.51 | $224,190 | $80,490 |
| South Carolina | 8,270 | $119,230 | $57.32 | $214,920 | $52,410 |
| South Dakota | 1,400 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Tennessee | 9,380 | $155,100 | $74.57 | $# | $64,110 |
| Texas | 45,950 | $177,890 | $85.53 | $# | $82,100 |
| Utah | 5,500 | $147,900 | $71.11 | $# | $64,090 |
| Vermont | 1,090 | $111,490 | $53.60 | $175,740 | $66,870 |
| Virginia | 17,040 | $181,410 | $87.22 | $# | $78,060 |
| Washington | 13,500 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| West Virginia | 2,430 | $114,460 | $55.03 | $187,120 | $59,710 |
| Wisconsin | 8,480 | $150,370 | $72.30 | $# | $60,730 |
| Wyoming | 1,040 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Guam | 200 | $114,570 | $55.08 | $168,830 | $67,580 |
| Puerto Rico | 3,250 | $76,540 | $36.80 | $119,010 | $33,610 |
| Virgin Islands | 230 | $126,770 | $60.95 | $174,990 | $79,120 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
District of Columbia tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $238,990.
These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Lawyers, OCC Code 23-1011, BLS.* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
How to Become a Prosecutor: Step-by-Step
Following the steps to becoming a prosecutor helps those interested in this career set goals and follow their desired career path.
Step 1: Understand the Role and Responsibilities
It is important for anyone who wants to become a prosecutor to understand the role and responsibilities of prosecutors.
It is not the glorified role that is often portrayed on television.
Prosecutors do not prosecute everyone arrested to get the court to impose the maximum sentence under the law for crimes committed by suspects.
Criminal cases take time to go to trial.
Prosecutors get details from investigators, gather the evidence, and build their case.
It is hard, time-consuming work.
Prosecutors must act within the law and do so in a way that protects the rights of all parties, including the accused suspects.
They must act ethically and responsibly when performing their duties.
People whose sole focus is on locking up the bad guy will likely not make a good prosecutor.
Step 2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree is important for students who want to become prosecutors.
Students will likely be pleased to know that their degree can be in any area.
Law schools accept students who have various undergraduate degrees.
Many students earn their degrees in areas such as law enforcement, criminal justice, corrections, or political science.
Students should also take courses that develop their communication skills, writing skills, and public speaking skills.
Step 3: Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is the standardized test for students who want to go to law school.
The test requires students to complete five sections of multiple-choice questions, each lasting 35 minutes.
Students also complete a writing sample.
Reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning are some skills that are measured by the LSAT.
Students need to study for the Law School Admissions Test before taking it.
People who spend dedicated time preparing for the test will probably do better than those who do not prepare well for the LSAT.
It can affect their acceptance into law school.
Step 4: Enroll in Law School
Applying to law schools is the next step toward becoming a prosecutor.
Some students prefer to enroll at a school that is closer to their home, while others prefer to attend a prestigious school.
People who want to attend law school should apply to more than one accredited school.
Getting into some law schools is a highly competitive process.
If one school does not accept an applicant, they have other options if they apply to more than one school.
Step 5: Earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree
It is not enough to simply enroll in law school.
It is a rigorous process to earn the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
Students usually attend law school for three years.
They spend many hours studying, in addition to attending classes.
Law school students participate in mock trials, competitions, internships, and other activities in addition to engaging in extensive reading and studying for each class.
Some students participate in the law clinic, which allows them to get hands-on experience working under the direct supervision of an attorney.
Participating in these types of things can help students as they prepare to graduate from law school.
Step 6: Pass the Bar Exam
Passing the bar exam is the next step in the process of becoming a prosecutor.
Take the bar exam for the state where you want to practice, not the state where you live, if you plan on working as a prosecutor in another state.
The bar exam measures communication skills, legal knowledge, and the ability of people to analyze legal issues.
Students usually use a preparation program to help them prepare to take the bar exam.
Some schools offer bar exam preparation programs. Students sometimes use programs that are not affiliated with their law school.
Students who pass the bar exam become licensed attorneys.
Step 7: Gain Experience
Most people who want to become prosecutors realize that even after they pass the bar exam, they need to work their way up to becoming prosecutors.
Students who participated in internships, clerkships, or other opportunities when they were in law school may have an advantage in the hiring process.
The National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) recommends applying for prosecutor jobs at the local, state, and federal levels.
The association explains that aspiring prosecutors usually start their careers in roles such as Assistant U.S. Attorney or Deputy District Attorney.
Education
People who want to become prosecutors can expect to spend several years attending school.
Some students enroll in an associate’s degree criminal justice program, or an associate’s degree in other areas, such as political science.
Those individuals who earn a two-year degree then enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited school.
Law schools do not require students to earn their bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a similar area.
Many students still choose to enroll in a criminal justice or political science program.
Applying to law school requires that students first take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
Students often take the exam while they are in the junior year of their undergraduate program.
Students must study for the LSAT before taking it.
Several study guides or programs help students prepare for the Law School Admissions Test.
Scoring high on the LSAT helps improve the chances of students getting into law school, especially into the school where they want to earn their Juris Doctor (J.D.).
Students usually attend law school for three years.
The courses in a law school program may vary somewhat compared to another law school, but many courses are the same.
Boston University lists suggested courses for students who want to become prosecutors. Some of the courses include Advanced Trial Practice, Criminal Motions and Advocacy, Homicide Investigation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Students may also take Crime and Punishment, Federal Habeas Corpus, Prosecutorial Ethics, and Government Lawyering Externship.
Students prepare for the bar exam while they are in law school.
Several sources are available to students to help them prepare for the bar exam.
Education continues even after passing the bar exam and becoming a prosecutor.
The American Bar Association (ABA) published the Criminal Justice Standards for the Prosecution Functions.
The Training Programs section indicates that the prosecutor’s office should develop and maintain continuing education programs and training programs for prosecutors.
The section also explains that both aspiring prosecutors and current prosecutors should be required to complete continuing education and training hours.
Licensing and Certification
Prosecutors, the same like other attorneys, cannot practice without a license to do so.
Getting a license to practice law takes several years of education and training.
The path to becoming a prosecutor requires full-time study.
The licensing exam for students who want to become lawyers is the bar exam.
People who pass the bar exam are said to be “admitted to the bar.”
Once students pass the bar exam, they are issued their license to practice law.
Some factors can disqualify people from getting admitted to the bar and obtaining a license.
People who have a history of substance abuse, academic misconduct, or prior felony convictions may be disqualified from practicing law.
Maintaining their license requires attorneys, including prosecutors, to participate in continuing education requirements.
Job Outlook
Aspiring prosecutors will likely be pleased to know that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects average job growth for the employment of attorneys through at least 2033.
The BLS indicates that it expects there to be an average of about 35,600 job openings for lawyers each year through 2033.
The positive job outlook is good news for people who want to become prosecutors.
The ongoing need for attorneys, including prosecuting attorneys, is a primary reason for the positive job outlook.
Should You Become a Prosecutor?
Overall Satisfaction – High
The National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) published the 2024 National Prosecutor Retention Survey.
It shows that 91 percent of survey takers responded that they strongly agree or agree when asked if they enjoy being a prosecutor without regard to their current employer.
When considering their current employer, 88 percent of prosecutors across the U.S. said that they enjoy being a prosecutor.
The survey results sometimes vary among prosecutors in different states.
One example is that 100 percent of prosecutors in Illinois indicated that they strongly agree or agree that they enjoy being a prosecutor, while 88 percent of prosecutors in Idaho indicated that they strongly agree or agree with the question.
All states reported high results for this question.
Average Salary – High
The average salary for prosecutors varies, based on things like experience, education, and location.
The salary range is between just under $91,000 per year to more than $151,000 per year.
The salary range does not impress some prosecutors.
When prosecutors who thought about leaving their jobs were asked why, their salary was one of the common reasons.
Job Growth Outlook – Medium
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that there will be average job growth for attorneys for several years.
Prosecutors are still needed across the US, with more than 35,000 jobs for attorneys expected through 2033.
Education Duration – 7 to 8 Years
It takes seven to eight years to become a prosecutor once students start their bachelor’s degree program.
The required education may seem like a long time, but it is the expected education duration for attorneys, whether students focus on becoming a prosecutor or a defense attorney.
Personal Skills Needed
- Excellent written communication skills
- Excellent public speaking skills
- Good negotiation skills
- Ability to work in high-stress situations
- Critical thinking and analysis skills
- Attention to detail
- Time management skills
- High standards of integrity and ethics
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you have to go to school to become a prosecutor?
Students go to school for about seven to eight years after high school.
Are prosecutors in high demand?
Prosecutors are in high demand across the U.S. because of vacancies for reasons such as retirement or prosecutors taking other jobs.
How much money does a prosecutor make a year?
Prosecutors make an average of $105,000 to $151,000 a year.
Prosecutors who have more experience or who live in certain areas can earn more than $151,000 a year.
What kind of education do you need to be a prosecutor?
Students earn a bachelor’s degree.
They then need to attend law school and pass the bar exam.
What skills do you need to have to be a prosecutor?
Prosecutors need to have comprehensive legal knowledge, excellent communication skills, critical thinking and analysis skills, and investigative skills.
They need to have negotiation skills, teamwork skills, problem-solving skills, and professional ethics.
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