SalaryByCity

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

$61,010

Median annual salary

367,220 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn $1,330 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 2.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $80,510 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.

Salary Range Comparison

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$98,990

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesParalegals and Legal AssistantsDifference
10th Percentile$47,960$39,710+$8,250
25th Percentile$55,220$48,190+$7,030
Median (50th)$62,340$61,010+$1,330
75th Percentile$73,160$78,280$-5,120
90th Percentile$80,510$98,990$-18,480
Mean (Average)$64,150$66,510$-2,360

Employment Numbers

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

367,220

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

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: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,330 (2.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses has a median salary of $62,340 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