Medical and Health Services Managers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical and Health Services Managers professionals earn $56,950 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 93.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Medical and Health Services Managers earns $219,080 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Medical and Health Services Managers$69,680 – $219,080
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$219,080
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Medical and Health Services Managers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $69,680 | $39,710 | +$29,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,560 | $48,190 | +$40,370 |
| Median (50th) | $117,960 | $61,010 | +$56,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,420 | $78,280 | +$84,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $219,080 | $98,990 | +$120,090 |
| Mean (Average) | $137,730 | $66,510 | +$71,220 |
Employment Numbers
Medical and Health Services Managers
565,840
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Medical and Health Services Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,750 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $167,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $160,640 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $157,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $153,910 |
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: Medical and Health Services Managers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Medical and Health Services Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $56,950 (93.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Medical and Health Services Managers?
Medical and Health Services Managers salaries range from $69,680 (10th percentile) to $219,080 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,960.
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 Medical and Health Services Managers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 565,840 Medical and Health Services Managers 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 Medical and Health Services Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Medical and Health Services Managers has a median salary of $117,960 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