National Salary Overview
VS
Purchasing Managers earns $5,131 more (3.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$134,711
$139,842
Average (Mean) Salary
$160,797
$146,959
Total Employment
754,500
84,150
States with Higher Pay
20
30
Salary by State: Lawyers vs Purchasing Managers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Lawyers pays more in 20 states; Purchasing Managers pays more in 30.
| State | Lawyers | Purchasing Managers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $131,970 | $130,710 | +$1,260 | ||
| Alaska | $149,940 | $114,650 | +$35,290 | ||
| Arizona | $134,260 | $138,940 | $-4,680 | ||
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $156,450 | $-57,570 | ||
| California | $195,080 | $159,830 | +$35,250 | ||
| Colorado | $168,520 | $171,250 | $-2,730 | ||
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $138,680 | +$24,920 | ||
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $175,720 | +$19,470 | ||
| Florida | $133,180 | $133,410 | $-230 | ||
| Georgia | $134,830 | $155,360 | $-20,530 | ||
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $113,490 | +$11,500 | ||
| Idaho | $103,400 | $136,970 | $-33,570 | ||
| Illinois | $160,800 | $153,370 | +$7,430 | ||
| Indiana | $126,860 | $126,880 | $-20 | ||
| Iowa | $123,550 | $121,580 | +$1,970 | ||
| Kansas | $106,650 | $159,850 | $-53,200 | ||
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $124,350 | $-22,800 | ||
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $109,630 | $-5,530 | ||
| Maine | $113,120 | $135,970 | $-22,850 | ||
| Maryland | $139,110 | $161,470 | $-22,360 | ||
| Massachusetts | $176,680 | $170,750 | +$5,930 | ||
| Michigan | $130,520 | $142,120 | $-11,600 | ||
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $144,810 | +$10,330 | ||
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $122,940 | $-31,250 | ||
| Missouri | $133,450 | $132,100 | +$1,350 | ||
| Montana | $103,720 | $123,480 | $-19,760 | ||
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $124,010 | $-14,840 | ||
| Nevada | $150,510 | $120,270 | +$30,240 | ||
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $162,900 | $-42,090 | ||
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $174,520 | $-13,090 | ||
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $134,790 | $-15,110 | ||
| New York | $207,860 | $166,300 | +$41,560 | ||
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $138,710 | $-11,000 | ||
| North Dakota | $106,880 | $130,110 | $-23,230 | ||
| Ohio | $131,020 | $134,580 | $-3,560 | ||
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $119,310 | $-16,250 | ||
| Oregon | $138,210 | $137,190 | +$1,020 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $141,790 | +$15,390 | ||
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $134,560 | +$4,400 | ||
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $131,720 | $-11,410 | ||
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $128,670 | $-26,630 | ||
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $137,060 | $-880 | ||
| Texas | $154,200 | $134,670 | +$19,530 | ||
| Utah | $132,830 | $125,940 | +$6,890 | ||
| Vermont | $127,310 | $135,720 | $-8,410 | ||
| Virginia | $167,210 | $166,230 | +$980 | ||
| Washington | $154,130 | $162,730 | $-8,600 | ||
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $147,220 | $-44,800 | ||
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $124,990 | +$1,770 | ||
| Wyoming | $100,130 | $123,380 | $-23,250 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Lawyers vs Purchasing Managers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Lawyers or Purchasing Managers?
On average across all states, a Purchasing Managers earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $5,131 (3.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Lawyers earn more than a Purchasing Managers?
A Lawyers earns a higher median salary than a Purchasing Managers in 20 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Purchasing Managers pays more in 30 states.
What is the median salary for a Lawyers vs Purchasing Managers?
The national median salary for a Lawyers is $134,711 per year, compared to $139,842 for a Purchasing Managers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Lawyers or Purchasing Managers?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 754,500 Lawyers positions and 84,150 Purchasing Managers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Lawyers or Purchasing Managers?
Both Lawyers and Purchasing Managers 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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