Lawyers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $90,150 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 147.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $39,710 | +$33,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $48,190 | +$51,570 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $61,010 | +$90,150 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $78,280 | +$137,140 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $98,990 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $66,510 | +$116,250 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Lawyers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $215,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $205,900 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $203,450 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $194,740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $191,880 |
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: Lawyers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $90,150 (147.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Lawyers?
Lawyers salaries range from $72,780 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $151,160.
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 Lawyers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers 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 Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 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