Computer Programmers vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $52,490 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 53.2% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $72,780 | $-20,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $99,760 | $-27,900 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $151,160 | $-52,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $215,420 | $-86,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $182,760 | $-79,120 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
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 Programmers or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $52,490 (53.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
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 Programmers and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 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