Lawyers vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $48,840 more per year than Mechanical Engineers professionals — that's 47.7% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$68,740$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $68,740 | +$4,040 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $81,800 | +$17,960 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $102,320 | +$48,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $130,290 | +$85,130 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $161,240 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $110,080 | +$72,680 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Mechanical Engineers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $48,840 (47.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Lawyers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. 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