Lawyers
SOC Code: 23-1011
Lawyers carries a 45% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $151,160 and +4.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 864,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Lawyers (SOC 23-1011) carries an AI exposure score of 45%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 864,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.1% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $151,160, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Doctoral or professional degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Lawyers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 2. Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 3. Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
- 4. Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
- 5. Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 6. Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 7. Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- 8. Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 9. Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 10. Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Persuasion
- Negotiation
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Communications and Media
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Public Safety and Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Lawyers?
Lawyers has an AI exposure score of 45%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Lawyers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Lawyers is projected to grow by 4.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 864,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Lawyers?
Key skills for Lawyers include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is Doctoral or professional degree.
How much do Lawyers earn?
The median annual wage for Lawyers is $151,160, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Lawyers?
The typical entry-level education for Lawyers is Doctoral or professional degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Lawyers?
Lawyers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).