Budget Analysts vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Budget Analysts professionals earn $26,920 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 44.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$134,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $39,710 | +$20,800 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $48,190 | +$24,050 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $61,010 | +$26,920 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $78,280 | +$32,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $98,990 | +$35,650 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $66,510 | +$27,410 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Budget Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $125,170 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $121,890 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $103,960 |
Best Cities for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,230 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $84,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $80,550 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Budget Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,920 (44.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Budget Analysts?
Budget Analysts salaries range from $60,510 (10th percentile) to $134,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $87,930.
What is the salary range for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries range from $39,710 (10th percentile) to $98,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,010.
How many Budget Analysts and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Paralegals and Legal Assistants to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $61,010. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS