SalaryByCity

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

$35,930

Median annual salary

2,199,900 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 $25,080 more per year than Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners professionals — that's 69.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners earns $49,040 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.

Salary Range Comparison

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$27,570 – $49,040
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$27,570$98,990

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileJanitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping CleanersParalegals and Legal AssistantsDifference
10th Percentile$27,570$39,710$-12,140
25th Percentile$30,830$48,190$-17,360
Median (50th)$35,930$61,010$-25,080
75th Percentile$41,650$78,280$-36,630
90th Percentile$49,040$98,990$-49,950
Mean (Average)$37,460$66,510$-29,050

Employment Numbers

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

2,199,900

employed nationwide

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

367,220

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

CityMedian
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$46,230
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$44,820
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$43,530
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$42,920
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$40,350

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: Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,080 (69.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners?
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners salaries range from $27,570 (10th percentile) to $49,040 (90th percentile), with a median of $35,930.
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 Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,199,900 Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 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 Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners has a median salary of $35,930 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