Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Personal Financial Advisors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Personal Financial Advisors professionals earn $41,130 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 67.4% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
Personal Financial Advisors$49,990 – N/A
$39,710$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Personal Financial Advisors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $49,990 | $-10,280 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $70,620 | $-22,430 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $102,140 | $-41,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $172,540 | $-94,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $160,210 | $-93,700 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Personal Financial Advisors
270,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Personal Financial Advisors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $168,350 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,510 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $126,690 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $126,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Personal Financial Advisors?
Personal Financial Advisors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,130 (67.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Personal Financial Advisors?
Personal Financial Advisors salaries range from $49,990 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,140.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Personal Financial Advisors jobs are there?
There are approximately 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 270,480 Personal Financial Advisors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Personal Financial Advisors to Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Paralegals and Legal Assistants has a median salary of $61,010 while Personal Financial Advisors earns $102,140. 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