Data Scientists vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $38,570 more per year than Data Scientists professionals — that's 34.3% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$63,650$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $72,780 | $-9,130 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $99,760 | $-17,130 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $151,160 | $-38,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $215,420 | $-59,610 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $182,760 | $-58,170 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,570 (34.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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