Lawyers vs Loan Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $76,980 more per year than Loan Officers professionals — that's 103.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Loan Officers$38,490 – $145,780
$38,490$145,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Loan Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $38,490 | +$34,290 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $50,460 | +$49,300 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $74,180 | +$76,980 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $101,920 | +$113,500 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $145,780 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $86,020 | +$96,740 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Loan Officers
290,530
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Loan Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $102,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $94,850 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $94,110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $91,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Loan Officers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $76,980 (103.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Loan Officers?
Loan Officers salaries range from $38,490 (10th percentile) to $145,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $74,180.
How many Lawyers and Loan Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 290,530 Loan Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Loan Officers to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Loan Officers earns $74,180. 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