Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $10,250 more per year than Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals — that's 7.3% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$72,780$232,120
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $80,670 | $72,780 | +$7,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,710 | $99,760 | +$2,950 |
| Median (50th) | $140,910 | $151,160 | $-10,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $181,210 | $215,420 | $-34,210 |
| 90th Percentile | $232,120 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $152,310 | $182,760 | $-30,450 |
Employment Numbers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
38,480
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer and Information Research Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $232,120 |
| Richmond, VA | $231,930 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $191,880 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $169,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,820 |
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: Computer and Information Research Scientists or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $10,250 (7.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists salaries range from $80,670 (10th percentile) to $232,120 (90th percentile), with a median of $140,910.
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 Computer and Information Research Scientists and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 38,480 Computer and Information Research Scientists positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer and Information Research Scientists has a median salary of $140,910 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