Lawyers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $57,560 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 61.5% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$66,030$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $66,030 | +$6,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $78,610 | +$21,150 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $93,600 | +$57,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $107,960 | +$107,460 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $135,320 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $98,430 | +$84,330 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Registered Nurses?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $57,560 (61.5% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Lawyers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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