Content Assessment: Monetary Motivations? The APT Search 2023 eDiscovery Salary Survey

Information - 94%
Insight - 95%
Relevance - 93%
Objectivity - 94%
Authority - 95%

94%

Excellent

A short percentage-based assessment of the qualitative benefit of the post highlighting the 2023 eDiscovery Salary Survey results by APT Search.

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Background Note: Introducing the third iteration of APT Search’s eDiscovery Salary Survey. This annual report has become vital, offering a comprehensive view of the constantly evolving salaries in the eDiscovery area of the legal technology market. From market growth prediction last year to the considerable upswing in activity witnessed in 2022, the Survey has consistently provided valuable insights to industry professionals. According to this year’s Survey, last year, the market saw an influx of talent exploring new ventures alongside a rise in start-ups and smaller companies, many of whom APT Search helped to expand their teams. This exciting trend underlines the dynamism and potential within the legal technology sector.

For over a decade, APT Search, led by founder Amit Pandit, has been the trusted partner for businesses in search of their perfect candidates. Their unique Talent-on-Demand service has seen a significant increase in demand, providing organizations with cost-effective access to a pool of trained, experienced talent without requiring a long-term commitment. This service is particularly beneficial for completing short-term tasks, providing businesses and candidates with a flexible, efficient solution.

This report is not just an essential tool for eDiscovery professionals but is also of great importance to those in the fields of cybersecurity and information governance. As these sectors are closely intertwined with legal technology, understanding salary trends, skills in demand, and market shifts are crucial for strategic planning, talent acquisition, and career development. With this report, APT Search helps to provide a comprehensive guide to navigating these interconnected landscapes.

Industry Report Overview*

The eDiscovery Forecast: 2023 Salary Survey

APT Search

The 2023 Salary Survey by APT Search provides a comprehensive snapshot of the eDiscovery landscape, covering key sections such as ‘The People in eDiscovery,’ ‘The eDiscovery Hiring Review,’ ‘eDiscovery Talking Points for 2023,’ and ‘Salary Benchmarks by Region and Job Title.’

The Survey was responded to by professionals from diverse geographic locations, with the majority of respondents (53%) based in the United Kingdom. This was followed by the EU (18%), USA (14%), APAC (12%), and MEA (2%).

When looking at the ‘People in Discovery’ section, the Survey provides insights into the eDiscovery and Legal Tech experience of respondents. It was found that a significant portion of respondents (45%) have ten or more years of experience in the field. Those with 6-9 years of experience accounted for 26%, followed by respondents with 3-5 years of experience (19%). Respondents with 0-2 years of experience made up 10% of the total.

In terms of tenure with their current organizations, the majority of respondents (41%) have been with their organization for 0-1 year. This was followed by those with 2-3 years of tenure (30%), 4-5 years (13%), 6-7 years (9%), and 8-9 years (5%). A small percentage of respondents (2%) have been with their organization for ten or more years.

As for the market drivers for 2023, the Survey highlights the main factors influencing decision-making in the industry. Money emerged as the primary driver, with 71% of respondents indicating its importance. Career prospects were also significant, with 61% of respondents highlighting this factor. Furthermore, the desire for remote working and increased flexibility was a key driver for 49% of respondents, reflecting the changing work patterns in the industry.

While APT Search’s 2023 Salary Survey offers a valuable resource for understanding the current state of the eDiscovery industry, shedding light on crucial aspects such as respondent demographics, experience levels, tenure, and market drivers, it also provides a rich review of salary observations from respondents from the 2022 and 2023 Surveys.

“As specialists in the eDiscovery and Legal Tech sectors, APT Search is uniquely positioned to offer real-time insights into the current market. This is why we’ve created our Salary Guide and Insights Report. Our aim is to empower both employers and professionals with the knowledge they need to navigate their industries effectively. From salary benchmarking and benefits packages to understanding the evolving industry trends, we believe in providing the actionable insights that fuel success and foster growth.” – Amit Pandit

Considering Salaries: An Overview of Salary Trends

While the general trend between 2022 and 2023 was a mix of increases and decreases, it varied significantly by role and region. The USA and EU typically saw more increases than decreases, with notable gains in Senior eDiscovery PM and Client Services Director roles. The UK presented more mixed results, with the most significant increase observed for the eDiscovery / Computer Forensics Analyst position. 

Let’s compare the salaries for each position year by year (2022 and 2023), and also country by country (UK, EU, USA). For the sake of comparison, all the values are converted into USD using the provided exchange rates (1 Euro = 1.08 US Dollar, 1 British Pound = 1.20 US Dollar).

Junior eDiscovery PM:

  • UK: £30,000 in 2023 is $36,000, an increase from £29,500 in 2022 which was $35,400
  • EU: €75,000 in 2023 is $81,000, an increase from €55,000 in 2022 which was $59,400
  • USA: Data not available for 2023, and for 2022 it was $175,000

eDiscovery PM:

  • UK: £60,833 in 2023 is $73,000, a decrease from £66,439 in 2022 which was $79,727
  • EU: €95,000 in 2023 is $102,600, an increase from €77,500 in 2022 which was $83,700
  • USA: $95,000 in 2023, a decrease from $139,286 in 2022

Senior eDiscovery PM:

  • UK: £81,667 in 2023 is $98,000, a decrease from £83,548 in 2022 which was $100,258
  • EU: €125,000 in 2023 is $135,000, an increase from €95,000 in 2022 which was $102,600
  • USA: $168,901 in 2023, an increase from $125,000 in 2022

Director Level PM:

  • UK: £122,500 in 2023 is $147,000, a decrease from £130,333 in 2022 which was $156,400
  • EU: Data not available for 2023, €125,000 in 2022 is $135,000
  • USA: $200,000 in 2023, an increase from $175,000 in 2022

Senior eDiscovery Business Developer:

  • UK: £125,000 in 2023 is $150,000, an increase from £123,054 in 2022 which was $147,665
  • EU: €125,000 in 2023 is $135,000, data not available for 2022
  • USA: Data not available for both years

Sales Director:

  • UK: £125,000 in 2023 is $150,000, a decrease from £165,000 in 2022 which was $198,000
  • EU: No data for 2023, €175,456 in 2022 is $189,492
  • USA: No data for both years

Operations Manager:

  • UK: £85,000 in 2023 is $102,000, a decrease from £91,667 in 2022 which was $110,000
  • EU: €125,000 in 2023 is $135,000, an increase from €95,450 in 2022 which was $103,086
  • USA: No data for both years

Computer Forensics Manager:

  • UK: £99,000 in 2023 is $118,800, an increase from £80,000 in 2022 which was $96,000
  • EU: €76,207 in 2023 is $82,304, a decrease from €90,000 in 2022 which was $97,200
  • USA: $133,333 in 2023, an increase from $100,000 in 2022

Client Services Director:

  • UK: £110,000 in 2023 is $132,000, a decrease from £135,350 in 2022 which was $162,420
  • EU: €125,000 in 2023 is $135,000, an increase from €121,450 in 2022 which was $131,166
  • USA: $175,000 in 2023, an increase from $160,000 in 2022

eDiscovery Analyst / Specialist:

  • UK: £55,000 in 2023 is $66,000, an increase from £48,550 in 2022 which was $58,260
  • EU: €75,000 in 2023 is $81,000, an increase from €50,000 in 2022 which was $54,000
  • USA: $92,500 in 2023, an increase from $90,000 in 2022

eDiscovery & Forensic Technology Consultant:

  • UK: £78,333 in 2023 is $94,000, a decrease from £84,500 in 2022 which was $101,400
  • EU: €101,667 in 2023 is $109,800, an increase from €95,000 in 2022 which was $102,600
  • USA: No data for both years

eDiscovery / Computer Forensics Analyst:

  • UK: £125,000 in 2023 is $150,000, a large increase from £62,356 in 2022 which was $74,827
  • EU: €85,000 in 2023 is $91,800, a decrease from €125,000 in 2022 which was $135,000
  • USA: $92,500 in 2023, an increase from $70,000 in 2022

These salaries and corresponding trends underscore the dynamic nature of the eDiscovery and digital forensics sector, with fluctuating salary patterns reflecting the evolving demand for these roles across different regions.

Access the APT Seach 2023 Salary Survey

While the comprehensive report can be downloaded from APT Search, a complete copy is conveniently provided below for easy access and viewing. 


Read the Complete Report: The eDiscovery Forecast: 2023 Salary Survey (PDF) – Mouseover to Scroll

APT_Salary Guide 2023-Update

*Assisted by GAI and LLM Technologies

Additional Reading

Source: ComplexDiscovery

 

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