National Salary Overview
VS
Pharmacists earns $8,179 more (6.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$134,711
$142,890
Average (Mean) Salary
$160,797
$140,171
Total Employment
754,500
321,960
States with Higher Pay
16
35
Salary by State: Lawyers vs Pharmacists
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Lawyers pays more in 16 states; Pharmacists pays more in 35.
| State | Lawyers | Pharmacists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $131,970 | $134,630 | $-2,660 | ||
| Alaska | $149,940 | $167,310 | $-17,370 | ||
| Arizona | $134,260 | $146,930 | $-12,670 | ||
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $136,060 | $-37,180 | ||
| California | $195,080 | $164,610 | +$30,470 | ||
| Colorado | $168,520 | $156,030 | +$12,490 | ||
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $141,290 | +$22,310 | ||
| Delaware | $173,510 | $152,880 | +$20,630 | ||
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $153,400 | +$41,790 | ||
| Florida | $133,180 | $135,970 | $-2,790 | ||
| Georgia | $134,830 | $137,120 | $-2,290 | ||
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $163,220 | $-38,230 | ||
| Idaho | $103,400 | $144,900 | $-41,500 | ||
| Illinois | $160,800 | $139,080 | +$21,720 | ||
| Indiana | $126,860 | $144,290 | $-17,430 | ||
| Iowa | $123,550 | $138,860 | $-15,310 | ||
| Kansas | $106,650 | $137,800 | $-31,150 | ||
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $136,530 | $-34,980 | ||
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $132,410 | $-28,310 | ||
| Maine | $113,120 | $140,930 | $-27,810 | ||
| Maryland | $139,110 | $138,990 | +$120 | ||
| Massachusetts | $176,680 | $138,170 | +$38,510 | ||
| Michigan | $130,520 | $137,860 | $-7,340 | ||
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $159,740 | $-4,600 | ||
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $133,230 | $-41,540 | ||
| Missouri | $133,450 | $137,610 | $-4,160 | ||
| Montana | $103,720 | $142,080 | $-38,360 | ||
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $139,330 | $-30,160 | ||
| Nevada | $150,510 | $140,030 | +$10,480 | ||
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $143,020 | $-22,210 | ||
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $137,620 | +$23,810 | ||
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $147,000 | $-27,320 | ||
| New York | $207,860 | $142,090 | +$65,770 | ||
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $138,860 | $-11,150 | ||
| North Dakota | $106,880 | $142,040 | $-35,160 | ||
| Ohio | $131,020 | $137,020 | $-6,000 | ||
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $135,140 | $-32,080 | ||
| Oregon | $138,210 | $165,960 | $-27,750 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $138,160 | +$19,020 | ||
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $128,180 | +$10,780 | ||
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $135,700 | $-15,390 | ||
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $146,790 | $-44,750 | ||
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $133,390 | +$2,790 | ||
| Texas | $154,200 | $138,260 | +$15,940 | ||
| Utah | $132,830 | $144,240 | $-11,410 | ||
| Vermont | $127,310 | $136,270 | $-8,960 | ||
| Virginia | $167,210 | $144,060 | +$23,150 | ||
| Washington | $154,130 | $160,610 | $-6,480 | ||
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $133,430 | $-31,010 | ||
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $148,740 | $-21,980 | ||
| Wyoming | $100,130 | $139,550 | $-39,420 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Lawyers vs Pharmacists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Lawyers or Pharmacists?
On average across all states, a Pharmacists earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $8,179 (6.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Lawyers earn more than a Pharmacists?
A Lawyers earns a higher median salary than a Pharmacists in 16 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Pharmacists pays more in 35 states.
What is the median salary for a Lawyers vs Pharmacists?
The national median salary for a Lawyers is $134,711 per year, compared to $142,890 for a Pharmacists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Lawyers or Pharmacists?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 754,500 Lawyers positions and 321,960 Pharmacists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Lawyers or Pharmacists?
Both Lawyers and Pharmacists 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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