Are lawyers or doctors richer?
Asked by: Emmet Hessel | Last update: March 26, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (5 votes)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics gives median salaries for both doctors and lawyers, so it's clear that the doctors' number is higher. But median salaries are the midpoint in a list of salaries for one occupation, meaning that half of the list makes more and half makes less.
Are lawyers richer than doctors?
Doctors tend to cap out income wise at around the 750 grand mark. The only way a doctor can earn more than a million or so per year is if he either owns a business, or owns a patent on a surgery or something. Lawyers, on the other hand, routinely make several million a year or more if they're partners in their firm.
Can you make $500,000 as a lawyer?
Yes. These days, BigLaw starts at about $215k plus bonus for newly-hired attorneys, and goes to $415k plus bonus (often enough to take one over $500k) for senior associates on the verge of making partner. Therefore, people who make it to this level and beyond generally bring home more than $500k/yr.
Are lawyers the highest paid profession?
Lawyers in the US earn a median annual wage of nearly $136,000. Although they are not among the twenty highest-paying occupations, they still earn well above the 2022 median income of $60,070. In May 2022, the median annual wage for lawyers was $135,740.
Who gets paid more than doctors?
- 10 Air Traffic Controller.
- 9 Lawyer.
- 8 Judge.
- 7 Airline Pilot.
- 6 State Governor.
- 5 Voice Actor.
- 4 Large Commercial Farmer.
- 3 Pro Gamer.
What I REALLY Do In a Day as a Corporate Lawyer in London - Tasks, Hours & Salaries
Which is harder to become a lawyer or doctor?
Time Commitment - Whereas law school is only 3 years of post-graduate education (I was even able to get TWO law degrees in that time) becoming a doctor can take up to 10 years of post-graduate training and education. Not to mention the student loan debt that comes with those additional years of education and training.
What is the richest type of doctor?
A neurosurgeon is the highest-paid doctor on our list. Neurosurgery encompasses surgery of the brain, spinal cord/column, and peripheral nerves. Aspiring neurosurgeons must complete at least a seven-year residency. The average annual compensation for neurosurgeons is $763,908, putting them at the top of our list.
Can lawyers make 7 figures?
Corporate Lawyer (Partner)
Though that's far from pocket change, it's certainly not landing you in the earnings tier of a millionaire. That said, corporate lawyers generally stand to make the most and can pull in seven figures a year — if they make partner.
What type of lawyer is the richest?
Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field. Other lawyers are more motivated by getting justice for their clients than by collecting the largest possible paycheck.
Can lawyers make 300k a year?
Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year.
Is 700k a good salary?
Earning $700,000 a year would put your household in the top 1% nationwide — and well above the middle class — and in any state in the South or Midwest. But that still won't cut it in seven states. The Northeast dominates the rankings, with five of the 10 states with the highest 1% thresholds lying in this region.
What type of lawyer is best paid?
- Civil litigation attorney. ...
- Real estate attorney. ...
- Intellectual property attorney. ...
- Bankruptcy lawyer. ...
- Family lawyer. ...
- Tax attorney. ...
- Corporate attorney. ...
- Patent attorney.
Do lawyers make 200k a year?
The median starting salary is $215,000 in 11 cities and geographic areas. They are Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles/Orange County, California; New York City; San Diego; San Francisco; Silicon Valley in California; and the Washington, D.C., area.
Are doctors considered rich?
Are Doctors Millionaires? The belief that doctors are all millionaires is a common idea, but the truth is more complicated. Many doctors do become millionaires, but it's not guaranteed. About 51% of doctors reach a net worth of $1 million or more, but this changes a lot based on their age and area of work.
Are lawyers generally rich?
Although some lawyers are extraordinarily wealthy, being a lawyer alone is rarely a means to achieve extreme wealth. Indeed, the vast majority of lawyers earn relatively modest incomes among other professionals in the workforce.
Can I be a doctor and a lawyer?
Combined M.D.-J.D. programs allow students to earn medical and juris doctor degrees at the same time, providing knowledge and skills that equip them for numerous professional roles.
Who is the lowest paid lawyer?
We find that within the legal industry, certain segments are known to offer lower compensation. Typically, public defenders, legal aid attorneys, and lawyers working for nonprofit organizations are among the lowest paid.
Which field of law pays the most?
- Patent attorney: $180,000.
- Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
- Trial lawyer: $134,000.
- Tax attorney: $122,000.
- Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
- Medical lawyer: $113,000.
- Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
- Family lawyer: $93,000.
Do top lawyers make millions?
In general, the five highest-paying states for lawyers are as follows: California ($201,530) Massachusetts ($196,230) New York ($188,900)
Can lawyers be millionaire?
Regions that are financial and business hubs, like New York, California, and Washington D.C., boast a significant portion of the lawyer millionaire demographic.
Which lawyer has the highest salary?
- Fali Sam Nariman. Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. ...
- Harish Salve. Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. ...
- Gopal Subramanium. Rs. 5.5 lakh to Rs. ...
- K. Parasaran. Rs. ...
- Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Rs. 6 lakh to Rs 11 lakh.
- K. K. Venugopal. Rs. 7 lakh to 10 lakh.
- Palaniappan Chidambaram. Rs. 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
- Mukul Rohatgi. Rs.
What is the lowest paid doctor?
1. Medical Genetics and Genomics. In the number 1 spot for lowest paid medical specialty is medical genetics and genomics at $244,517. Medical geneticists focus on the relationship between genes and health.
What is the hardest doctor to become?
What is the most difficult type of doctor specialty? Neurosurgery is known to be particularly challenging because of the intricate nature of the nervous system and the significant risks involved in surgical procedures.
Which doctor has highest salary?
Neurologists & Cardiologists are the highest paid doctors in India as of 2025 with monthly salary of approximately 2.5 Lakh. The location of the hospital where the doctors work will also affect the salary range.