Lawyers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $88,190 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 140.1% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $40,670 | +$32,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $48,860 | +$50,900 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $62,970 | +$88,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $81,900 | +$133,520 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $105,150 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $69,940 | +$112,820 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $88,190 (140.1% 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Lawyers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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