Civil Engineers vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $51,570 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 51.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$65,920$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $72,780 | $-6,860 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $99,760 | $-20,970 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $151,160 | $-51,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $215,420 | $-87,130 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $182,760 | $-75,710 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Best Cities for Lawyers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $215,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $205,900 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $203,450 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $194,740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $191,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $51,570 (51.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
What is the salary range for Lawyers?
Lawyers salaries range from $72,780 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $151,160.
How many Civil Engineers and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Lawyers earns $151,160. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS