Lawyers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $18,080 more per year than Software Developers professionals — that's 13.6% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$72,780$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $79,850 | $-7,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $103,050 | $-3,290 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $133,080 | +$18,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $169,000 | +$46,420 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $211,450 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $144,570 | +$38,190 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Software Developers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,080 (13.6% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Lawyers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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