Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn $1,570 more per year than Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners professionals — that's 2.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners earns $101,310 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$35,990 – $101,310
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$35,990$101,310
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,990 | $39,710 | $-3,720 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,610 | $48,190 | $-2,580 |
| Median (50th) | $59,440 | $61,010 | $-1,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,150 | $78,280 | $-1,130 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,310 | $98,990 | +$2,320 |
| Mean (Average) | $65,090 | $66,510 | $-1,420 |
Employment Numbers
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
134,670
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $81,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $79,070 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $77,860 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $74,890 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $69,420 |
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: Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,570 (2.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salaries range from $35,990 (10th percentile) to $101,310 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,440.
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 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 134,670 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners 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 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners has a median salary of $59,440 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