Graphic Designers vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $89,860 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 146.6% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$37,600$103,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Graphic Designers | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $37,600 | $72,780 | $-35,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,200 | $99,760 | $-52,560 |
| Median (50th) | $61,300 | $151,160 | $-89,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $215,420 | $-136,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $103,030 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $68,610 | $182,760 | $-114,150 |
Employment Numbers
Graphic Designers
214,260
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
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: Graphic Designers or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $89,860 (146.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
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 Graphic Designers and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 214,260 Graphic Designers positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Graphic Designers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Graphic Designers has a median salary of $61,300 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