Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn $10,010 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 19.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $38,130 | +$1,580 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $45,580 | +$2,610 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $51,000 | +$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $61,610 | +$16,670 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $75,850 | +$23,140 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $55,100 | +$11,410 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $69,120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $64,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $63,890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $62,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $10,010 (19.6% 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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salaries range from $38,130 (10th percentile) to $75,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $51,000.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 424,040 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earns $51,000. 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