Lawyers vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $81,380 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 116.6% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$129,480
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $40,750 | +$32,030 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $51,970 | +$47,790 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $69,780 | +$81,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $95,940 | +$119,480 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $129,480 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $80,310 | +$102,450 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
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 Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Public Relations Specialists?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $81,380 (116.6% 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 Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
How many Lawyers and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Public Relations Specialists earns $69,780. 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