National Salary Overview
VS
Psychiatrists earns $122,973 more (91.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$134,711
$257,684
Average (Mean) Salary
$160,797
$256,354
Total Employment
754,500
26,480
States with Higher Pay
3
43
Salary by State: Lawyers vs Psychiatrists
Showing 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. Lawyers pays more in 3 states; Psychiatrists pays more in 43.
| State | Lawyers | Psychiatrists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $149,940 | $342,170 | $-192,230 | ||
| Arizona | $134,260 | $249,720 | $-115,460 | ||
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $124,750 | $-25,870 | ||
| California | $195,080 | $353,500 | $-158,420 | ||
| Colorado | $168,520 | $266,370 | $-97,850 | ||
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $326,670 | $-163,070 | ||
| Delaware | $173,510 | $279,410 | $-105,900 | ||
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $183,080 | +$12,110 | ||
| Florida | $133,180 | $316,200 | $-183,020 | ||
| Georgia | $134,830 | $237,480 | $-102,650 | ||
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $289,990 | $-165,000 | ||
| Idaho | $103,400 | $75,470 | +$27,930 | ||
| Illinois | $160,800 | $258,740 | $-97,940 | ||
| Indiana | $126,860 | $284,110 | $-157,250 | ||
| Iowa | $123,550 | $295,270 | $-171,720 | ||
| Kansas | $106,650 | $278,100 | $-171,450 | ||
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $237,770 | $-136,220 | ||
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $345,040 | $-240,940 | ||
| Maine | $113,120 | $300,180 | $-187,060 | ||
| Maryland | $139,110 | $305,320 | $-166,210 | ||
| Michigan | $130,520 | $291,850 | $-161,330 | ||
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $336,410 | $-181,270 | ||
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $213,680 | $-121,990 | ||
| Missouri | $133,450 | $312,680 | $-179,230 | ||
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $135,180 | $-26,010 | ||
| Nevada | $150,510 | $210,030 | $-59,520 | ||
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $246,140 | $-125,330 | ||
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $194,070 | $-32,640 | ||
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $227,730 | $-108,050 | ||
| New York | $207,860 | $265,890 | $-58,030 | ||
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $168,880 | $-41,170 | ||
| Ohio | $131,020 | $244,990 | $-113,970 | ||
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $271,640 | $-168,580 | ||
| Oregon | $138,210 | $314,880 | $-176,670 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $278,970 | $-121,790 | ||
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $287,610 | $-148,650 | ||
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $237,250 | $-116,940 | ||
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $226,180 | $-124,140 | ||
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $214,880 | $-78,700 | ||
| Texas | $154,200 | $228,460 | $-74,260 | ||
| Utah | $132,830 | $299,670 | $-166,840 | ||
| Vermont | $127,310 | $302,770 | $-175,460 | ||
| Virginia | $167,210 | $295,010 | $-127,800 | ||
| Washington | $154,130 | $304,920 | $-150,790 | ||
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $63,320 | +$39,100 | ||
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $331,070 | $-204,310 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Lawyers vs Psychiatrists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Lawyers or Psychiatrists?
On average across all states, a Psychiatrists earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $122,973 (91.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Lawyers earn more than a Psychiatrists?
A Lawyers earns a higher median salary than a Psychiatrists in 3 out of 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Psychiatrists pays more in 43 states.
What is the median salary for a Lawyers vs Psychiatrists?
The national median salary for a Lawyers is $134,711 per year, compared to $257,684 for a Psychiatrists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Lawyers or Psychiatrists?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 754,500 Lawyers positions and 26,480 Psychiatrists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Lawyers or Psychiatrists?
Both Lawyers and Psychiatrists 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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