For a long time now, it’s been well-known that going into law pays well. People in the profession tend to have higher-than-average remuneration per hour worked. And why the heck not? After all, applying and interpreting the law is detailed, tricky work.

But what most people don’t realize is just how lucrative a career in law can be. With all the talk of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, we sometimes forget that there are, in fact, other ways to make money.

Lawyers and other people in the legal profession can go into a wide variety of fields. Yes, there is criminal law – the most traditional area. But there’s also need for lawyers who have knowledge of tax law, securities law, intellectual property law, and, most important going forward, environmental law.

There are many paths into the legal profession, but which are the most effective?

One popular route today, as pointed out by the infographic below, is earning a Master of Laws degree, often abbreviated LLM. This degree not only helps you get work with a legal firm, but it also enables you to progress faster than you would if you had just a standard legal qualification. Data from the largest law firms in the world, for instance, suggests that having an LLM is a critical tool for getting promoted to partner in a range of global cities, including Paris, Tokyo, and Frankfurt.

Would you like a career in law? Take a look at the following infographic for all the benefits that earning an LLM could bring.

Infographic by University of Southern California