Lawyer / Attorney vs Family Law Attorney: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Lawyer / Attorney
Advise clients and represent them in legal proceedings.
Family Law Attorney
Handle divorce, custody, adoption, and other family legal matters.
Lawyer / Attorney earns more on average — the national median is $38,000/year (41%) higher than a Family Law Attorney. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Lawyer / Attorney vs Family Law Attorney — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Lawyer / Attorney | Family Law Attorney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $193,282 | $135,989 | Lawyer +$57,293 |
| New York, NY | $160,319 | $110,406 | Lawyer +$49,913 |
| Seattle, WA | $181,889 | $134,932 | Lawyer +$46,957 |
| Austin, TX | $143,827 | $102,008 | Lawyer +$41,819 |
| Chicago, IL | $139,311 | $99,895 | Lawyer +$39,416 |
| Boston, MA | $168,407 | $121,871 | Lawyer +$46,536 |
| London, UK | £87,870 | £71,325 | Lawyer +$16,545 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$163,998 | CA$124,987 | Lawyer +$39,011 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Lawyer / Attorney or Family Law Attorney earn more?+
A Lawyer / Attorney earns more on average. The national median salary for a Lawyer / Attorney is $130,000/year, compared to $92,000/year for a Family Law Attorney — a difference of $38,000 (41%).
Which has better career growth — Lawyer / Attorney or Family Law Attorney?+
Lawyer / Attorney roles are growing at 8% YoY while Family Law Attorney demand is growing at 5% YoY. Lawyer / Attorney has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Lawyer / Attorney to Family Law Attorney?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Litigation.
Which is harder to automate — Lawyer / Attorney or Family Law Attorney?+
Family Law Attorney has a lower AI automation risk (22% vs 22%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.