Emergency Management Directors vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Emergency Management Directors professionals earn $25,120 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 41.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Emergency Management Directors earns $160,420 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$160,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Emergency Management Directors | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,260 | $39,710 | +$11,550 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,470 | $48,190 | +$16,280 |
| Median (50th) | $86,130 | $61,010 | +$25,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,690 | $78,280 | +$41,410 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,420 | $98,990 | +$61,430 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,700 | $66,510 | +$31,190 |
Employment Numbers
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Emergency Management Directors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $153,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $139,630 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $138,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,860 |
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: Emergency Management Directors or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Emergency Management Directors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,120 (41.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Emergency Management Directors?
Emergency Management Directors salaries range from $51,260 (10th percentile) to $160,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $86,130.
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 Emergency Management Directors and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 12,570 Emergency Management Directors 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 Emergency Management Directors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Emergency Management Directors has a median salary of $86,130 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