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The differences between advocates and attorneys can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an advocate, becoming an attorney takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an attorney has an average salary of $109,476, which is higher than the $39,497 average annual salary of an advocate.
The top three skills for an advocate include CPR, customer service and developmental disabilities. The most important skills for an attorney are litigation, legal research, and law firm.
| Advocate | Attorney | |
| Yearly salary | $39,497 | $109,476 |
| Hourly rate | $18.99 | $52.63 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 74,970 | 10,991 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
An advocate is a voice for the voiceless. It is their responsibility to speak on behalf of an individual or a particular cause. Most of the duties will vary depending on the line of organization or duty involved; however, an advocate must have extensive knowledge or background on the subject matter. Furthermore, an advocate must be present at gatherings regarding the cause, assist in the negotiation and mediation processes involving contracts and legal documentation, provide or convey accurate information, and defend what they represent.
Generally, an attorney's responsibility is to advise the client with an ongoing lawsuit on the legal procedures and provide strategies to resolve the case as early as possible. An attorney compiles necessary documents or any records for appeal and client's defense. Attorneys must acquire strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to mediate disputes and settle pending litigation for the client's best interest. In some cases, an attorney's procedure depends on any evidence and research presented during the trial period. An attorney is expected to present clients on legal proceedings, seeking justice and justifying the law.
Advocates and attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Advocate | Attorney | |
| Average salary | $39,497 | $109,476 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $58,000 | Between $69,000 And $172,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | White Plains, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Thompson Coburn |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between an advocate and an attorney in terms of educational background:
| Advocate | Attorney | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Law |
| Most common college | SUNY at Binghamton | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between advocates' and attorneys' demographics:
| Advocate | Attorney | |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3% | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 6.2% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 10% |