Construction Managers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $45,970 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 75.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Construction Managers earns $176,990 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Construction Managers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,160 | $39,710 | +$25,450 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,480 | $48,190 | +$35,290 |
| Median (50th) | $106,980 | $61,010 | +$45,970 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,330 | $78,280 | +$61,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,990 | $98,990 | +$78,000 |
| Mean (Average) | $119,660 | $66,510 | +$53,150 |
Employment Numbers
Construction Managers
348,330
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
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: Construction Managers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $45,970 (75.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
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 Construction Managers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 348,330 Construction Managers 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 Construction Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Construction Managers has a median salary of $106,980 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