What is more prestigious, a doctor or a lawyer?
Asked by: Dr. Kiel Nolan | Last update: September 20, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (6 votes)
In general, a doctor. This does not mean every doctor is more prestigious than every lawyer. One reason would be that there are significantly fewer doctors than there are lawyers.
Is a doctor or lawyer more respected?
But of the two professions, although I think that lawyers provide as much value as physicians, I have concluded that doctors are accorded greater esteem than lawyers are, at least on a crisis per capita basis.
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.
Is it harder to become a doctor or a lawyer?
Becoming a doctor would seen to be more difficult than becoming a lawyer, using educational requirements, length of studies, and financial considerations as the metrics.
Is being a doctor considered prestigious?
Being a doctor is associated with a high level of respect and prestige in society. They are constantly ranked among the most respected professionals, a testament to their profound impact on individuals, families, and communities, where they play an instrumental role in saving lives and alleviating suffering.
Law School vs. Med School: Which Is Harder?
Are doctors above the law?
physicians, and all other health workers, must obey the law.
Why are doctors so highly respected?
Physicians dedicate their lives in service to others—i.e., they are moral “doers”—and they also seem to be perceived as highly capable of agency-related abilities, including thinking and self-control.
Who gets paid more lawyer or doctor?
For example, family-practice physicians had median salaries of $230,456, while the top 10 percent of lawyers earned more than $208,000. Remember that median salaries are midpoints. That means there are just as many earning more than that number as there are earning less than that number.
What's harder, med school or law school?
Each path demands extensive education and a commitment to rigorous training before becoming a qualified professional. Although both law and medical schools present their unique challenges, it's generally accepted that medical school demands a higher level of intense coursework and thorough training.
What is the highest paid lawyer?
- 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.
How rich is the average lawyer?
In general, the five highest-paying states for lawyers are as follows: California ($201,530) Massachusetts ($196,230) New York ($188,900)
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.
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 is the most prestigious profession?
A 2007 Harris Poll of 1,010 U.S. adults suggested that occupational prestige is linked to perceived impact on community welfare, the highest ranking jobs being firefighter, scientists, and teachers. Lower ranking jobs include well-paid positions such as brokers, actors, and bankers.
Are lawyers ever called Dr?
A Juris Doctor degree is technically a professional doctorate. But unlike other Ph. D. holders, lawyers don't hold the title of "Doctor." Instead, they can choose to use the title "esquire," which is shortened to "Esq." and is fashioned after the lawyer's name.
Is it harder to become a doctor or dentist?
Both include a mix of classroom learning and hands-on training. However, the curriculum for medicine is generally more intense, with more hours spent in the classroom and clinical rotations. In contrast, dental students often have more flexible schedules and less time in class.
Is it faster to become a lawyer or doctor?
After completing your bachelor's degree, it takes an additional 4 years to complete a medical degree. However, it only takes 3 years, after your bachelor's degree, to complete a law degree.
How long is med school?
Medical school typically lasts four years, but three-year accelerated programs have been emerging. Once someone receives either an M.D. or D.O. degree, they go on to the next phase of their medical training, typically a residency in their desired specialty, such as surgery or radiology.
What is the hardest law degree to get?
The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.
What is more prestigious doctor or lawyer?
In general, a doctor. This does not mean every doctor is more prestigious than every lawyer. One reason would be that there are significantly fewer doctors than there are lawyers. I hasten to add that the help a person could get from a practitioner of either profession is priceless.
What is the highest paid doctor?
Neurosurgery
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.
What percent of lawyers make over 200k?
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 being a doctor still prestigious?
One reason could be that medicine is still among the highest paying and most prestigious professions in the country. As a doctor you will not only enjoy the monetary rewards but the humanistic rewards as well.
Who is the most respected doctor in the world?
Hippocrates (c460-c470), Joseph Lister (1827-1912), Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910), and Edward Jenner (1749-1823) are among the best doctors in history.
What is the personality of most doctors?
As expected, doctors were more conscientious and extroverted than all other groups but they were also more neurotic. Consistent with expectations, we found that both doctors and caring professionals were more agreeable than patients, but doctors were significantly more agreeable than caring professionals.