Cooks, Restaurant vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $114,330 more per year than Cooks, Restaurant professionals — that's 310.4% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Cooks, Restaurant$28,010 – $47,340
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$28,010$72,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cooks, Restaurant | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $28,010 | $72,780 | $-44,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,310 | $99,760 | $-68,450 |
| Median (50th) | $36,830 | $151,160 | $-114,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,610 | $215,420 | $-171,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,340 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $37,730 | $182,760 | $-145,030 |
Employment Numbers
Cooks, Restaurant
1,452,130
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $46,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $46,960 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $45,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,040 |
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: Cooks, Restaurant or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $114,330 (310.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant?
Cooks, Restaurant salaries range from $28,010 (10th percentile) to $47,340 (90th percentile), with a median of $36,830.
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 Cooks, Restaurant and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,452,130 Cooks, Restaurant positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Cooks, Restaurant?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cooks, Restaurant has a median salary of $36,830 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