LP Group Salary in the Federal Government (LP-01 to LP-03, 2026)
The LP-02 salary band is one of the most unusual structures in the entire federal pay system. A single level — LP-02 — spans from $130K to $206K. That's a $76,000 range within one classification level, which is wider than the entire AS group from AS-01 to AS-07. It reflects the enormous variation between a newly called federal lawyer and a 20-year senior counsel at the Department of Justice. I flagged this anomaly when I was building FedPay's salary data and double-checked it three times because it seemed like an error. It's not.
Here's the full LP breakdown for 2026 — all three levels, the unusual LP-02 band explained, and how federal lawyers compare to private practice.
LP Group Pay Scale — 2026
LP pay rates are set under the collective agreement negotiated by the Association of Justice Counsel (AJC), with the most recent rates effective May 10, 2025. Unlike most classification groups that use a fixed number of steps (3–8), LP-02 has eleven pay steps — meaning it can take up to 10 years to progress from LP-02 minimum to maximum solely through step increments.
Source: AJC–Treasury Board collective agreement, effective May 10, 2025.
LP-01 is the entry level for called lawyers who join the federal public service. LP-02 is where the vast majority of practicing federal counsel spend their careers — it has the widest salary band ($130,382–$206,386) of any classification in the federal public service. LP-03 positions are senior leadership roles such as Director of Legal Services or Chief Counsel for a department.
LP-02 Take-Home Pay Example (Ontario, 2026)
An LP-02 Step 1 is the typical starting point when a lawyer moves from LP-01 after demonstrating competency. Here's what an LP-02 Step 1 earns after deductions in Ontario:
| Deduction | Annual | Biweekly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (LP-02 Step 1) | $130,382 | $4,998 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$22,000 | -$843 |
| Provincial Income Tax (ON) | -$10,000 | -$383 |
| CPP + CPP2 | -$4,430 | -$170 |
| Employment Insurance (EI) | -$1,049 | -$40 |
| PSPP Pension (Group 2) | -$11,300 | -$433 |
| Estimated Take-Home | $81,603 | $3,128 |
Estimates for Ontario (Group 2 pension, 2026 rates). Your actual deductions will vary by province, pension group, and step. Use the FedPay take-home calculator for a personalized breakdown.
At $130,382 gross, an LP-02 Step 1 in Ontario takes home approximately $81,603 per year — about 63% of gross salary. The PSPP pension contribution is higher at this salary level because the 10.44% rate applies on earnings above the Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings (~$73,200). The defined-benefit pension it funds provides retirement income that is difficult to replicate in private practice.
LP Group vs Private Sector: How Federal Lawyers Compare
The LP group is where the federal government is most competitive with the private sector for legal talent. A Bay Street or large-firm associate in their 5th year might earn $175,000–$200,000 in base salary. An LP-02 at step 5–6 earns $156,674–$164,036, which is below the private sector ceiling — but comes with:
- A defined benefit pension worth an estimated 20–25% of salary in additional compensation
- Job security — federal lawyers are rarely made redundant
- Predictable hours — no billable-hour pressure or weekend client demands
- Comprehensive benefits — PSHCP health, dental, disability coverage
- Vacation and leave — 15 days to start, growing to 20+ days
Senior LP-02 counsel (steps 8–11) earning $188,273–$206,386 and LP-03 positions at $165,373–$228,084 are competitive with senior private sector roles, especially when total compensation is considered. Many experienced Crown counsel earn more than junior Bay Street partners on a total-compensation basis.
LP Group: Career Path and How to Enter
The LP group is exclusively for called lawyers — you must be a member in good standing of a Canadian provincial law society. Entry-level LP-01 positions are typically posted by the Department of Justice Canada and filled through competitive processes.
- LP-01: Entry-level federal counsel. Typically requires a law degree and call to the bar. Starting at $93,262. Junior litigators, regulatory counsel, and advisory counsel roles.
- LP-02: The main working-level for experienced federal lawyers. Wide salary band ($130,382–$206,386) with 11 steps — salary grows significantly just through step increments over a career.
- LP-03: Senior leadership positions. Director of Legal Services, Chief Counsel, or similar roles responsible for managing teams of lawyers and advising Deputy Ministers directly. Starting at $165,373, capping at $228,084.
Movement from LP-01 to LP-02 is not automatic — it typically requires a competitive process or the organization reclassifying the position upward. Once in LP-02, step increments happen annually, allowing significant salary growth without promotion.
LP-02's Extraordinary Salary Range
LP-02 is notable for having the widest salary band in the federal public service: from $130,382 (Step 1) to $206,386 (Step 11) — a difference of $76,004. At 11 steps, a lawyer who enters at LP-02 Step 1 can spend an entire 10-year career within the same classification and see their salary grow by nearly 60%. This structure is intentional: it rewards retention and recognizes that senior Crown counsel with 15+ years of experience are genuinely difficult to replace.
Compare this to EC-08 (the highest non-LP, non-EX classification at the senior policy level), which tops out at $159,046 — still well below the LP-02 maximum. LP is one of the few federal paths where an individual contributor (non-manager) can earn over $200,000.
LP Collective Agreement History
The LP group is represented by the Association of Justice Counsel (AJC), which negotiates directly with Treasury Board. Recent LP agreement milestones:
- May 10, 2021: Rates effective; LP-01 Step 1 at $82,430
- May 10, 2023: ~8.1% increase; LP-01 Step 1 at $88,972
- May 10, 2024: ~2.8% increase; LP-01 Step 1 at $91,433
- May 10, 2025: ~2.0% increase; LP-01 Step 1 at $93,262 (current)
An LP-01 Step 1 who was earning $82,430 in 2021 now earns $93,262 in 2026 — a cumulative increase of approximately 13.2% over five years, modestly behind CPI inflation over the same period.
For complete step-by-step rates and salary history for each LP level, see:
- LP-01 salary scale — $93,262 to $128,628
- LP-02 salary scale — $130,382 to $206,386
- LP-03 salary scale — $165,373 to $228,084
You can also compare LP with other classifications or view the highest paying federal government jobs.