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Chief Executives vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Chief Executives

Median Salary
$212,618
Average (Mean)
$263,025
Employed Nationwide
145,980
VS

Lawyers

Median Salary
$134,711
Average (Mean)
$160,797
Employed Nationwide
754,500
Chief Executives earns $77,907 more (57.8%)
Chief Executives vs Lawyers national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Chief ExecutivesChief ExecutivesChief Executives: $212,619$212,619LawyersLawyersLawyers: $134,712$134,712

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $212,618 $134,711
Average (Mean) Salary $263,025 $160,797
Total Employment 145,980 754,500
States with Higher Pay 45 1

Salary by State: Chief Executives vs Lawyers

Showing 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. Chief Executives pays more in 45 states; Lawyers pays more in 1.

State Chief Executives Lawyers Difference
Alabama $166,420
$131,970
+$34,450
Alaska $166,710
$149,940
+$16,770
Arkansas $119,990
$98,880
+$21,110
California $218,600
$195,080
+$23,520
Colorado $213,370
$168,520
+$44,850
Connecticut $295,120
$163,600
+$131,520
Delaware $199,990
$173,510
+$26,480
Georgia $208,180
$134,830
+$73,350
Hawaii $281,640
$124,990
+$156,650
Idaho $177,210
$103,400
+$73,810
Illinois $331,920
$160,800
+$171,120
Indiana $254,180
$126,860
+$127,320
Iowa $211,190
$123,550
+$87,640
Kansas $158,100
$106,650
+$51,450
Kentucky $179,530
$101,550
+$77,980
Maine $138,770
$113,120
+$25,650
Maryland $248,660
$139,110
+$109,550
Michigan $255,560
$130,520
+$125,040
Minnesota $195,670
$155,140
+$40,530
Mississippi $139,250
$91,690
+$47,560
Missouri $172,320
$133,450
+$38,870
Montana $182,340
$103,720
+$78,620
Nebraska $214,680
$109,170
+$105,510
Nevada $149,770
$150,510
$-740
New Hampshire $168,590
$120,810
+$47,780
New Jersey $310,440
$161,430
+$149,010
New Mexico $123,500
$119,680
+$3,820
New York $257,980
$207,860
+$50,120
North Carolina $314,290
$127,710
+$186,580
North Dakota $164,560
$106,880
+$57,680
Ohio $176,440
$131,020
+$45,420
Oklahoma $163,790
$103,060
+$60,730
Oregon $341,630
$138,210
+$203,420
Pennsylvania $232,560
$157,180
+$75,380
Rhode Island $235,360
$138,960
+$96,400
South Carolina $168,840
$120,310
+$48,530
South Dakota $280,900
$102,040
+$178,860
Tennessee $198,830
$136,180
+$62,650
Texas $257,850
$154,200
+$103,650
Utah $171,880
$132,830
+$39,050
Vermont $175,070
$127,310
+$47,760
Virginia $310,740
$167,210
+$143,530
Washington $339,810
$154,130
+$185,680
West Virginia $151,950
$102,420
+$49,530
Wisconsin $208,350
$126,760
+$81,590
Wyoming $147,940
$100,130
+$47,810

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Chief Executives vs Lawyers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Chief Executives or Lawyers?
On average across all states, a Chief Executives earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $77,907 (57.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Chief Executives earn more than a Lawyers?
A Chief Executives earns a higher median salary than a Lawyers in 45 out of 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Lawyers pays more in 1 states.
What is the median salary for a Chief Executives vs Lawyers?
The national median salary for a Chief Executives is $212,618 per year, compared to $134,711 for a Lawyers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Chief Executives or Lawyers?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 145,980 Chief Executives positions and 754,500 Lawyers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Chief Executives or Lawyers?
Both Chief Executives and Lawyers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

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