Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $120,680 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 395.9% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$22,620$72,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $72,780 | $-50,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $99,760 | $-72,610 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $151,160 | $-120,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $215,420 | $-179,980 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $182,760 | $-151,410 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
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: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $120,680 (395.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
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 Fast Food and Counter Workers and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fast Food and Counter Workers has a median salary of $30,480 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