Lawyers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
$102,610
Median annual salary
199,800 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $48,550 more per year than Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals — that's 47.3% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$60,690$166,960
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $60,690 | +$12,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $79,520 | +$20,240 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $102,610 | +$48,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $131,870 | +$83,550 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $166,960 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $110,260 | +$72,500 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
199,800
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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $139,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,640 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $127,940 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $48,550 (47.3% 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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
How many Lawyers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $102,610. 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