Lawyers vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $106,960 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 242.0% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$72,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $35,020 | +$37,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $37,610 | +$62,150 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $44,200 | +$106,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $48,160 | +$167,260 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $57,830 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $44,720 | +$138,040 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
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 Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Medical Assistants?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $106,960 (242.0% 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 Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Lawyers and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. 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