Accountants and Auditors vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $69,480 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 85.1% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$52,780$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $72,780 | $-20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $99,760 | $-35,100 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $151,160 | $-69,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $215,420 | $-108,970 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $182,760 | $-89,240 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Lawyers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $215,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $205,900 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $203,450 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $194,740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $191,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $69,480 (85.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Lawyers?
Lawyers salaries range from $72,780 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $151,160.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Lawyers earns $151,160. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS