Human Resources Managers vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $11,130 more per year than Human Resources Managers professionals — that's 7.9% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$72,780$83,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Managers | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $83,790 | $72,780 | +$11,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,590 | $99,760 | +$5,830 |
| Median (50th) | $140,030 | $151,160 | $-11,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,960 | $215,420 | $-25,460 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $160,480 | $182,760 | $-22,280 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Managers
215,520
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
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: Human Resources Managers or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,130 (7.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
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 Human Resources Managers and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Human Resources Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Managers has a median salary of $140,030 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