Lawyers vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $74,870 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 98.1% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$115,280
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $47,640 | +$25,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $58,980 | +$40,780 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $76,290 | +$74,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $97,190 | +$118,230 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $115,280 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $79,320 | +$103,440 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $74,870 (98.1% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Lawyers and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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