SalaryByCity

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

$56,270

Median annual salary

71,620 employed nationally

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

$61,010

Median annual salary

367,220 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn $4,740 more per year than Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals — that's 8.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earns $96,400 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.

Salary Range Comparison

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$37,060 – $96,400
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$37,060$98,990

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileEducation and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and DaycareParalegals and Legal AssistantsDifference
10th Percentile$37,060$39,710$-2,650
25th Percentile$45,310$48,190$-2,880
Median (50th)$56,270$61,010$-4,740
75th Percentile$72,690$78,280$-5,590
90th Percentile$96,400$98,990$-2,590
Mean (Average)$62,640$66,510$-3,870

Employment Numbers

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

71,620

employed nationwide

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

367,220

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

CityMedian
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$79,000
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$77,390
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$64,180
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$62,530
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$61,880

Best Cities for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

CityMedian
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: Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,740 (8.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salaries range from $37,060 (10th percentile) to $96,400 (90th percentile), with a median of $56,270.
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 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 71,620 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare 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 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare has a median salary of $56,270 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