SalaryByCity

Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

$61,010

Median annual salary

367,220 employed nationally

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $41,600 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 68.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$39,710$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileParalegals and Legal AssistantsSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$39,710$60,690$-20,980
25th Percentile$48,190$79,520$-31,330
Median (50th)$61,010$102,610$-41,600
75th Percentile$78,280$131,870$-53,590
90th Percentile$98,990$166,960$-67,970
Mean (Average)$66,510$110,260$-43,750

Employment Numbers

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

367,220

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

CityMedian
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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,700
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$139,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,640
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$127,940
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$126,430

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,600 (68.2% 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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 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 Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $102,610. 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