Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Median annual salary
1,737,820 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn $14,720 more per year than Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals — that's 31.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $64,150 for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $31,600 | +$8,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $37,770 | +$10,420 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $46,290 | +$14,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $55,650 | +$22,630 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $64,150 | +$34,840 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $47,640 | +$18,870 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
1,737,820
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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $61,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $60,320 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,310 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $56,060 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $53,960 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
What is the salary range for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
What is the salary range for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive to Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS