Computer Hardware Engineers vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $3,860 more per year than Lawyers professionals — that's 2.6% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$72,780$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $72,780 | +$12,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $99,760 | +$15,740 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $151,160 | +$3,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $215,420 | $-30,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $182,760 | $-25,990 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $197,090 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $174,070 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $172,920 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $170,570 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $169,230 |
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: Computer Hardware Engineers or Lawyers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,860 (2.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers salaries range from $85,430 (10th percentile) to $223,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $155,020.
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 Computer Hardware Engineers and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 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