Headline salary scales tell only part of the story. Here is what to compare when weighing two offers.
Most large firms follow a common salary scale, but total pay can differ sharply once you count bonuses, hours requirements and class-year credit.
Ask how bonuses were actually paid over the last three years, whether billable targets are firm or flexible, and how pro bono hours count.
Class-year credit at the time of a lateral move often matters more over a career than a one-time signing bonus.