Lawyers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $50,410 more per year than Project Management Specialists professionals — that's 50.0% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $59,830 | +$12,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $76,950 | +$22,810 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $100,750 | +$50,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $131,660 | +$83,760 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $165,790 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $108,100 | +$74,660 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Project Management Specialists?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $50,410 (50.0% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Lawyers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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