Not only did fewer recent graduates land law firm jobs, as the National Association for Law Placement reported in June, but they also are earning less than their predecessors.

A NALP report released on July 6 concluded that the median salary for the class of 2010 in full-time jobs as of February was $63,000 — $9,000 less than the $72,000 median salary reported by the class of 2009. The average salary for the class of 2010 also declined, to $84,111 from $93,454.