Industrial 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?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $40,130 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 65.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $39,710 | +$30,290 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $48,190 | +$33,720 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $61,010 | +$40,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $78,280 | +$49,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $98,990 | +$58,150 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $66,510 | +$41,390 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
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: Industrial Engineers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $40,130 (65.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
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 Industrial Engineers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial 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 Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 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