National Salary Overview
VS
Physician Assistants earns $1,338 more (1.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$134,711
$136,050
Average (Mean) Salary
$160,797
$137,335
Total Employment
754,500
162,150
States with Higher Pay
18
33
Salary by State: Lawyers vs Physician Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Lawyers pays more in 18 states; Physician Assistants pays more in 33.
| State | Lawyers | Physician Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $131,970 | $104,960 | +$27,010 | ||
| Alaska | $149,940 | $150,700 | $-760 | ||
| Arizona | $134,260 | $134,650 | $-390 | ||
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $118,430 | $-19,550 | ||
| California | $195,080 | $165,650 | +$29,430 | ||
| Colorado | $168,520 | $134,540 | +$33,980 | ||
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $139,860 | +$23,740 | ||
| Delaware | $173,510 | $139,350 | +$34,160 | ||
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $135,140 | +$60,050 | ||
| Florida | $133,180 | $129,620 | +$3,560 | ||
| Georgia | $134,830 | $115,390 | +$19,440 | ||
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $164,050 | $-39,060 | ||
| Idaho | $103,400 | $133,790 | $-30,390 | ||
| Illinois | $160,800 | $131,950 | +$28,850 | ||
| Indiana | $126,860 | $132,050 | $-5,190 | ||
| Iowa | $123,550 | $134,770 | $-11,220 | ||
| Kansas | $106,650 | $125,640 | $-18,990 | ||
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $120,760 | $-19,210 | ||
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $128,870 | $-24,770 | ||
| Maine | $113,120 | $131,170 | $-18,050 | ||
| Maryland | $139,110 | $137,560 | +$1,550 | ||
| Massachusetts | $176,680 | $142,410 | +$34,270 | ||
| Michigan | $130,520 | $131,510 | $-990 | ||
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $141,190 | +$13,950 | ||
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $105,920 | $-14,230 | ||
| Missouri | $133,450 | $135,130 | $-1,680 | ||
| Montana | $103,720 | $141,470 | $-37,750 | ||
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $133,040 | $-23,870 | ||
| Nevada | $150,510 | $134,660 | +$15,850 | ||
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $150,960 | $-30,150 | ||
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $165,690 | $-4,260 | ||
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $139,920 | $-20,240 | ||
| New York | $207,860 | $160,880 | +$46,980 | ||
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $129,360 | $-1,650 | ||
| North Dakota | $106,880 | $133,450 | $-26,570 | ||
| Ohio | $131,020 | $132,090 | $-1,070 | ||
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $136,550 | $-33,490 | ||
| Oregon | $138,210 | $155,780 | $-17,570 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $127,070 | +$30,110 | ||
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $139,930 | $-970 | ||
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $122,490 | $-2,180 | ||
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $133,200 | $-31,160 | ||
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $118,240 | +$17,940 | ||
| Texas | $154,200 | $134,550 | +$19,650 | ||
| Utah | $132,830 | $134,740 | $-1,910 | ||
| Vermont | $127,310 | $150,490 | $-23,180 | ||
| Virginia | $167,210 | $135,940 | +$31,270 | ||
| Washington | $154,130 | $164,360 | $-10,230 | ||
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $128,610 | $-26,190 | ||
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $133,950 | $-7,190 | ||
| Wyoming | $100,130 | $136,080 | $-35,950 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Lawyers vs Physician Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Lawyers or Physician Assistants?
On average across all states, a Physician Assistants earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $1,338 (1.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Lawyers earn more than a Physician Assistants?
A Lawyers earns a higher median salary than a Physician Assistants in 18 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physician Assistants pays more in 33 states.
What is the median salary for a Lawyers vs Physician Assistants?
The national median salary for a Lawyers is $134,711 per year, compared to $136,050 for a Physician Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Lawyers or Physician Assistants?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 754,500 Lawyers positions and 162,150 Physician Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Lawyers or Physician Assistants?
Both Lawyers and Physician Assistants 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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