Lawyers vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $112,690 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 292.9% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$72,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $26,240 | +$46,540 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $31,310 | +$68,450 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $38,470 | +$112,690 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $51,930 | +$163,490 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $63,460 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $44,930 | +$137,830 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $112,690 (292.9% 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Lawyers and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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