National Salary Overview
VS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median Salary
$58,945
Average (Mean)
$62,659
Employed Nationwide
353,430
Lawyers earns $67,788 more (115.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$126,733
$58,945
Average (Mean) Salary
$150,322
$62,659
Total Employment
713,150
353,430
States with Higher Pay
47
0
Salary by State: Lawyers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Showing 47 states where both occupations have BLS data. Lawyers pays more in 47 states; Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 0.
| State | Lawyers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $120,890 | $47,780 | +$73,110 | ||
| Alaska | $131,760 | $59,120 | +$72,640 | ||
| Arizona | $132,000 | $61,080 | +$70,920 | ||
| California | $185,050 | $75,140 | +$109,910 | ||
| Colorado | $166,570 | $68,860 | +$97,710 | ||
| Connecticut | $159,770 | $69,370 | +$90,400 | ||
| Delaware | $183,380 | $63,930 | +$119,450 | ||
| District of Columbia | $183,500 | $95,480 | +$88,020 | ||
| Florida | $121,500 | $60,650 | +$60,850 | ||
| Georgia | $131,090 | $58,540 | +$72,550 | ||
| Hawaii | $107,990 | $60,460 | +$47,530 | ||
| Idaho | $101,740 | $48,190 | +$53,550 | ||
| Illinois | $161,880 | $57,360 | +$104,520 | ||
| Indiana | $121,530 | $48,990 | +$72,540 | ||
| Iowa | $107,990 | $59,020 | +$48,970 | ||
| Kansas | $110,410 | $47,320 | +$63,090 | ||
| Kentucky | $84,800 | $49,800 | +$35,000 | ||
| Louisiana | $118,130 | $48,210 | +$69,920 | ||
| Maine | $98,760 | $59,370 | +$39,390 | ||
| Maryland | $134,410 | $64,940 | +$69,470 | ||
| Massachusetts | $148,370 | $70,570 | +$77,800 | ||
| Michigan | $121,760 | $59,970 | +$61,790 | ||
| Minnesota | $149,990 | $62,590 | +$87,400 | ||
| Mississippi | $94,420 | $38,450 | +$55,970 | ||
| Missouri | $104,500 | $59,890 | +$44,610 | ||
| Montana | $94,770 | $56,400 | +$38,370 | ||
| Nebraska | $108,920 | $58,080 | +$50,840 | ||
| Nevada | $125,040 | $62,700 | +$62,340 | ||
| New Hampshire | $119,940 | $59,160 | +$60,780 | ||
| New Jersey | $151,170 | $68,370 | +$82,800 | ||
| New Mexico | $97,240 | $52,000 | +$45,240 | ||
| New York | $179,650 | $73,740 | +$105,910 | ||
| North Carolina | $133,130 | $52,000 | +$81,130 | ||
| North Dakota | $105,100 | $54,490 | +$50,610 | ||
| Ohio | $117,500 | $53,330 | +$64,170 | ||
| Oklahoma | $105,390 | $55,560 | +$49,830 | ||
| Oregon | $137,320 | $63,410 | +$73,910 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $130,270 | $61,220 | +$69,050 | ||
| Rhode Island | $149,580 | $68,190 | +$81,390 | ||
| South Carolina | $97,640 | $47,790 | +$49,850 | ||
| Tennessee | $126,400 | $50,510 | +$75,890 | ||
| Texas | $145,000 | $58,740 | +$86,260 | ||
| Utah | $119,520 | $52,000 | +$67,520 | ||
| Vermont | $101,400 | $61,880 | +$39,520 | ||
| Virginia | $159,550 | $59,580 | +$99,970 | ||
| West Virginia | $100,810 | $50,840 | +$49,970 | ||
| Wisconsin | $105,050 | $53,040 | +$52,010 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Lawyers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
On average across all states, a Lawyers earns more than a Paralegals and Legal Assistants. The national median salary difference is $67,788 (115.0%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Lawyers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
The national median salary for a Lawyers is $126,733 per year, compared to $58,945 for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Lawyers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 713,150 Lawyers positions and 353,430 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Lawyers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Both Lawyers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
Explore Career Options
Build a Professional Resume Get Certified & Earn More Learn a New Language Build In-Demand Tech Skills Explore Top Courses Advance Your CareerCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.