Lawyers vs Personal Financial Advisors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $49,020 more per year than Personal Financial Advisors professionals — that's 48.0% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Personal Financial Advisors$49,990 – N/A
$49,990$72,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Personal Financial Advisors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $49,990 | +$22,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $70,620 | +$29,140 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $102,140 | +$49,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $172,540 | +$42,880 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $160,210 | +$22,550 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Personal Financial Advisors
270,480
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 Personal Financial Advisors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $168,350 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,510 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $126,690 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $126,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Personal Financial Advisors?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $49,020 (48.0% 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 Personal Financial Advisors?
Personal Financial Advisors salaries range from $49,990 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,140.
How many Lawyers and Personal Financial Advisors jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 270,480 Personal Financial Advisors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Personal Financial Advisors to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Personal Financial Advisors earns $102,140. 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