Human Resources Specialists vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $78,250 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 107.3% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$45,440$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $72,780 | $-27,340 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $99,760 | $-43,890 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $151,160 | $-78,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $215,420 | $-118,150 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $182,760 | $-103,030 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
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: Human Resources Specialists or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $78,250 (107.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
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 Human Resources Specialists and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 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