Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $72,070 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 118.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$39,710$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $79,850 | $-40,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $103,050 | $-54,860 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $133,080 | $-72,070 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $169,000 | $-90,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $211,450 | $-112,460 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $144,570 | $-78,060 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $72,070 (118.1% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers 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 Software Developers earns $133,080. 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