Electrical Engineers vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $39,250 more per year than Electrical Engineers professionals — that's 35.1% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$72,780$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $72,780 | +$1,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $99,760 | $-12,170 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $151,160 | $-39,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $215,420 | $-73,790 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $182,760 | $-61,780 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,250 (35.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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