Civil Engineers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $38,580 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 63.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $39,710 | +$26,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $48,190 | +$30,600 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $61,010 | +$38,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $78,280 | +$50,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $98,990 | +$62,000 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $66,510 | +$40,540 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
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: Civil Engineers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,580 (63.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers 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 Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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