Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Median annual salary
1,266,860 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products professionals earn $5,770 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 9.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $134,470 for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $37,860 | +$1,850 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $49,040 | $-850 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $66,780 | $-5,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $97,570 | $-19,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $134,470 | $-35,480 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $81,470 | $-14,960 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
1,266,860
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 Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $99,690 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $83,740 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $81,150 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,520 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $78,580 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products?
What is the salary range for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
What is the salary range for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products?
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products to Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS