Database Administrators vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $74,970 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 122.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators earns $209,990 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Database Administrators | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,630 | $39,710 | +$41,920 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,900 | $48,190 | +$59,710 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 | $61,010 | +$74,970 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,480 | $78,280 | +$91,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,990 | $98,990 | +$111,000 |
| Mean (Average) | $142,620 | $66,510 | +$76,110 |
Employment Numbers
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Database Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $188,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $170,700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $166,210 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $162,310 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $155,880 |
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: Database Administrators or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $74,970 (122.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Database Administrators?
Database Administrators salaries range from $81,630 (10th percentile) to $209,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $135,980.
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 Database Administrators and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,770 Database Administrators 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 Database Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Database Administrators has a median salary of $135,980 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