Lawyers vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $116,580 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 337.1% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$72,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $25,600 | +$47,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $29,140 | +$70,620 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $34,580 | +$116,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $37,850 | +$177,570 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $47,930 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $37,150 | +$145,610 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Retail Salespersons?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $116,580 (337.1% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Lawyers and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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