National Salary Overview
VS
Optometrists earns $1,396 more (1.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$134,711
$136,108
Average (Mean) Salary
$160,797
$138,787
Total Employment
754,500
42,810
States with Higher Pay
21
30
Salary by State: Lawyers vs Optometrists
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Lawyers pays more in 21 states; Optometrists pays more in 30.
| State | Lawyers | Optometrists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $131,970 | $145,090 | $-13,120 | ||
| Alaska | $149,940 | $170,310 | $-20,370 | ||
| Arizona | $134,260 | $122,250 | +$12,010 | ||
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $124,470 | $-25,590 | ||
| California | $195,080 | $136,300 | +$58,780 | ||
| Colorado | $168,520 | $152,000 | +$16,520 | ||
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $150,340 | +$13,260 | ||
| Delaware | $173,510 | $161,270 | +$12,240 | ||
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $134,840 | +$60,350 | ||
| Florida | $133,180 | $151,670 | $-18,490 | ||
| Georgia | $134,830 | $128,830 | +$6,000 | ||
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $154,620 | $-29,630 | ||
| Idaho | $103,400 | $103,390 | +$10 | ||
| Illinois | $160,800 | $145,620 | +$15,180 | ||
| Indiana | $126,860 | $135,500 | $-8,640 | ||
| Iowa | $123,550 | $125,380 | $-1,830 | ||
| Kansas | $106,650 | $138,580 | $-31,930 | ||
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $128,860 | $-27,310 | ||
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $118,060 | $-13,960 | ||
| Maine | $113,120 | $154,110 | $-40,990 | ||
| Maryland | $139,110 | $165,840 | $-26,730 | ||
| Massachusetts | $176,680 | $151,730 | +$24,950 | ||
| Michigan | $130,520 | $135,650 | $-5,130 | ||
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $158,700 | $-3,560 | ||
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $108,070 | $-16,380 | ||
| Missouri | $133,450 | $133,810 | $-360 | ||
| Montana | $103,720 | $104,280 | $-560 | ||
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $125,040 | $-15,870 | ||
| Nevada | $150,510 | $135,650 | +$14,860 | ||
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $125,560 | $-4,750 | ||
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $159,040 | +$2,390 | ||
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $144,660 | $-24,980 | ||
| New York | $207,860 | $161,140 | +$46,720 | ||
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $161,560 | $-33,850 | ||
| North Dakota | $106,880 | $132,110 | $-25,230 | ||
| Ohio | $131,020 | $134,850 | $-3,830 | ||
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $97,350 | +$5,710 | ||
| Oregon | $138,210 | $132,020 | +$6,190 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $135,400 | +$21,780 | ||
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $134,520 | +$4,440 | ||
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $145,950 | $-25,640 | ||
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $102,320 | $-280 | ||
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $134,170 | +$2,010 | ||
| Texas | $154,200 | $126,000 | +$28,200 | ||
| Utah | $132,830 | $119,070 | +$13,760 | ||
| Vermont | $127,310 | $137,290 | $-9,980 | ||
| Virginia | $167,210 | $131,570 | +$35,640 | ||
| Washington | $154,130 | $157,560 | $-3,430 | ||
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $118,010 | $-15,590 | ||
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $139,720 | $-12,960 | ||
| Wyoming | $100,130 | $111,400 | $-11,270 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Lawyers vs Optometrists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Lawyers or Optometrists?
On average across all states, a Optometrists earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $1,396 (1.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Lawyers earn more than a Optometrists?
A Lawyers earns a higher median salary than a Optometrists in 21 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Optometrists pays more in 30 states.
What is the median salary for a Lawyers vs Optometrists?
The national median salary for a Lawyers is $134,711 per year, compared to $136,108 for a Optometrists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Lawyers or Optometrists?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 754,500 Lawyers positions and 42,810 Optometrists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Lawyers or Optometrists?
Both Lawyers and Optometrists 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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