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Lawyers vs Physicians, Pathologists: 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

Lawyers

Median Salary
$134,711
Average (Mean)
$160,797
Employed Nationwide
754,500
VS

Physicians, Pathologists

Median Salary
$290,306
Average (Mean)
$284,110
Employed Nationwide
9,360
Physicians, Pathologists earns $155,595 more (115.5%)
Lawyers vs Physicians, Pathologists national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.LawyersLawyersLawyers: $134,712$134,712Physicians, PathologistsPhysicians, PathologistsPhysicians, Pathologists: $290,307$290,307

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $134,711 $290,306
Average (Mean) Salary $160,797 $284,110
Total Employment 754,500 9,360
States with Higher Pay 2 31

Salary by State: Lawyers vs Physicians, Pathologists

Showing 33 states where both occupations have BLS data. Lawyers pays more in 2 states; Physicians, Pathologists pays more in 31.

State Lawyers Physicians, Pathologists Difference
Arizona $134,260
$338,290
$-204,030
Arkansas $98,880
$214,100
$-115,220
California $195,080
$186,300
+$8,780
Colorado $168,520
$294,510
$-125,990
Florida $133,180
$313,510
$-180,330
Georgia $134,830
$211,800
$-76,970
Illinois $160,800
$381,770
$-220,970
Indiana $126,860
$340,300
$-213,440
Iowa $123,550
$323,460
$-199,910
Kansas $106,650
$224,280
$-117,630
Kentucky $101,550
$324,390
$-222,840
Maryland $139,110
$253,670
$-114,560
Massachusetts $176,680
$285,240
$-108,560
Michigan $130,520
$303,070
$-172,550
Minnesota $155,140
$362,270
$-207,130
Mississippi $91,690
$261,570
$-169,880
Missouri $133,450
$261,830
$-128,380
Nebraska $109,170
$229,140
$-119,970
Nevada $150,510
$384,350
$-233,840
New Jersey $161,430
$355,970
$-194,540
New York $207,860
$321,550
$-113,690
North Carolina $127,710
$248,940
$-121,230
Ohio $131,020
$309,480
$-178,460
Oklahoma $103,060
$317,850
$-214,790
Pennsylvania $157,180
$413,370
$-256,190
Rhode Island $138,960
$322,950
$-183,990
South Carolina $120,310
$236,950
$-116,640
Texas $154,200
$345,830
$-191,630
Vermont $127,310
$188,250
$-60,940
Virginia $167,210
$240,780
$-73,570
Washington $154,130
$300,680
$-146,550
West Virginia $102,420
$400,070
$-297,650
Wisconsin $126,760
$83,610
+$43,150

Explore This Comparison by State

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Lawyers or Physicians, Pathologists?
On average across all states, a Physicians, Pathologists earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $155,595 (115.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Lawyers earn more than a Physicians, Pathologists?
A Lawyers earns a higher median salary than a Physicians, Pathologists in 2 out of 33 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physicians, Pathologists pays more in 31 states.
What is the median salary for a Lawyers vs Physicians, Pathologists?
The national median salary for a Lawyers is $134,711 per year, compared to $290,306 for a Physicians, Pathologists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Lawyers or Physicians, Pathologists?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 754,500 Lawyers positions and 9,360 Physicians, Pathologists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Lawyers or Physicians, Pathologists?
Both Lawyers and Physicians, Pathologists 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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