Who makes more money a lawyer or a prosecutor?

Asked by: Mrs. Ellen Kuphal  |  Last update: August 31, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (30 votes)

Prosecutors and defense attorneys make comparable salaries, with the caveat that jobs in the private sector typically pay more than those in the public sector.

Which field of law makes the most money?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • 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.

What's higher than a prosecutor?

The U.S. attorney general, who is the chief law enforcement officer in the United States and the head of the Department of Justice, has supervisory responsibility over U.S. attorneys.

Who gets paid more, a lawyer or an attorney?

The national average salary for an attorney is $97,879 per year , while a lawyer has an average salary of $96,557 per year . Although the average earnings have a slight difference, you may earn more or less depending on your years of experience, employer, location and skills.

Who makes more money than lawyers?

According to the BLS, medical doctors which include both medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) earned an annual median salary of $208,000 per year in 2016. Lawyers, according to the BLS, had an annual median salary of $118,160 in 2016, a significant difference between them of $89,840.

How much do LAWYERS MAKE in the UK: BARRISTERS SALARY, COMMERCIAL BARRISTERS, CRIMINAL LAWYERS ETC

20 related questions found

How to make $500,000 as a lawyer?

5-Step Marketing Formula Used by the Highest-Paid Lawyers
  1. High-Performance Law Firm Website.
  2. Create High-Performance Content.
  3. Optimize Legal Website Ads.
  4. Improve Reviews and Listings.
  5. Manage Your Legal Reputation.

What type of law is the richest?

As of 2024, the top five highest paid types of lawyers are:
  • Patent Attorneys.
  • Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
  • Trial Lawyers.
  • Tax Attorneys.
  • Corporate Lawyers.

Is a prosecutor a lawyer?

A prosecutor and a defense attorney are both lawyers who have completed law school and passed the bar examination. However, a defense attorney defends the individual that a prosecutor is trying to convince the jury is guilty. In a criminal court, these attorneys are on opposite sides.

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)

What is the highest paying job in the world?

Topping the list, being a CEO gets you the highest paying job in the world, no matter where you work. A CEO is the highest-ranked position in any organisation's structure. Irrespective of the company's size, a CEO handles all its day-to-day corporate affairs, manages resources and handles all managerial processes.

Is a prosecutor harder than a lawyer?

Typically, the prosecutor will ask easy soft ball questions like “what did you see?” or “what did you do?” This style of questioning is called direct examination. Direct examination is completely different that cross examination. A prosecutor's job is easier than a defense attorney generally.

How many years does it take to become a prosecutor?

Aspiring prosecuting attorneys must first obtain a four-year degree from an accredited university and then graduate from law school, which typically takes an additional three years.

Do prosecutors make more than lawyers?

Prosecutors and defense attorneys make comparable salaries, with the caveat that jobs in the private sector typically pay more than those in the public sector.

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.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

What field of law is most in demand?

Which Legal Fields Are in Demand?
  • Intellectual property law. ...
  • Family law. ...
  • Immigration & naturalization law. ...
  • Real estate law. ...
  • Contract management. ...
  • Compliance. ...
  • Labor and employment. ...
  • Corporate transactions. Also known as mergers and acquisitions, or M&A, this work navigates the buying and selling of companies and their assets.

Can lawyers make 300k a year?

More experienced lawyers, those with 11-15 years of experience, earn notably more. Of those in practice 11-15 years, 35% earn between $200,000-$249,999, and 18% reported earning $250,000-$299,999.

What kind of law pays the most?

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 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.

Who is higher than a prosecutor?

Federal prosecutors generally have a more focused caseload and have access to greater resources than state prosecutors. Federal prosecutors are overseen and appointed by the United States Attorney General, who themselves are appointed by the President.

Does a prosecutor have to pass the bar exam?

Prosecutors need to take and pass the bar exam to obtain a license to practice as a legal professional. The bar exam is designed to test the knowledge and skills that every lawyer should have before practicing.

What is the hardest part of being a prosecutor?

For many prosecutors, the least satisfying part of the job is plea-bargaining. For others, sentencing proceedings can be difficult, as there are times when prosecutors must argue for higher punishments than they personally think the defendant deserves.

Which law has most money?

Trial law is one of the most lucrative branches of law, as practitioners advocate for clients in court, providing defence and representation. These lawyers typically represent clients dealing with criminal allegations, disputes, or conflicts on various legal matters.

Which law is most powerful?

5 most famous laws in the world
  • 1/6. These laws go beyond legal statutes. The world is governed by numerous laws that extend beyond those written in constitutions or statutes. ...
  • 2/6. Murphy's Law. ...
  • 3/6. Pareto Principle. ...
  • 4/6. Falkland's Law. ...
  • 5/6. Parkinson's Law. ...
  • 6/6. Godwin's Law.

What law is the most broken?

Here are the five laws that are broken most often in the United States.
  1. Underage drinking. ...
  2. Smoking marijuana. ...
  3. Crossing the wrong way. ...
  4. Stealing tunes. ...
  5. Trashing the place.