National Salary Overview
VS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median Salary
$62,103
Average (Mean)
$65,956
Employed Nationwide
392,910
Lawyers earns $72,607 more (116.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$134,711
$62,103
Average (Mean) Salary
$160,797
$65,956
Total Employment
754,500
392,910
States with Higher Pay
51
0
Salary by State: Lawyers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Lawyers pays more in 51 states; Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 0.
| State | Lawyers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $131,970 | $47,260 | +$84,710 | ||
| Alaska | $149,940 | $68,700 | +$81,240 | ||
| Arizona | $134,260 | $61,630 | +$72,630 | ||
| Arkansas | $98,880 | $47,420 | +$51,460 | ||
| California | $195,080 | $77,390 | +$117,690 | ||
| Colorado | $168,520 | $78,190 | +$90,330 | ||
| Connecticut | $163,600 | $63,820 | +$99,780 | ||
| Delaware | $173,510 | $63,110 | +$110,400 | ||
| District of Columbia | $195,190 | $89,750 | +$105,440 | ||
| Florida | $133,180 | $61,000 | +$72,180 | ||
| Georgia | $134,830 | $62,400 | +$72,430 | ||
| Hawaii | $124,990 | $62,840 | +$62,150 | ||
| Idaho | $103,400 | $49,690 | +$53,710 | ||
| Illinois | $160,800 | $63,670 | +$97,130 | ||
| Indiana | $126,860 | $57,030 | +$69,830 | ||
| Iowa | $123,550 | $54,550 | +$69,000 | ||
| Kansas | $106,650 | $55,000 | +$51,650 | ||
| Kentucky | $101,550 | $59,830 | +$41,720 | ||
| Louisiana | $104,100 | $60,250 | +$43,850 | ||
| Maine | $113,120 | $62,420 | +$50,700 | ||
| Maryland | $139,110 | $65,640 | +$73,470 | ||
| Massachusetts | $176,680 | $77,640 | +$99,040 | ||
| Michigan | $130,520 | $62,170 | +$68,350 | ||
| Minnesota | $155,140 | $75,570 | +$79,570 | ||
| Mississippi | $91,690 | $46,180 | +$45,510 | ||
| Missouri | $133,450 | $61,410 | +$72,040 | ||
| Montana | $103,720 | $57,290 | +$46,430 | ||
| Nebraska | $109,170 | $63,250 | +$45,920 | ||
| Nevada | $150,510 | $64,680 | +$85,830 | ||
| New Hampshire | $120,810 | $62,040 | +$58,770 | ||
| New Jersey | $161,430 | $71,500 | +$89,930 | ||
| New Mexico | $119,680 | $59,840 | +$59,840 | ||
| New York | $207,860 | $68,410 | +$139,450 | ||
| North Carolina | $127,710 | $57,500 | +$70,210 | ||
| North Dakota | $106,880 | $59,430 | +$47,450 | ||
| Ohio | $131,020 | $60,420 | +$70,600 | ||
| Oklahoma | $103,060 | $53,170 | +$49,890 | ||
| Oregon | $138,210 | $61,490 | +$76,720 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $157,180 | $63,370 | +$93,810 | ||
| Rhode Island | $138,960 | $56,250 | +$82,710 | ||
| South Carolina | $120,310 | $53,880 | +$66,430 | ||
| South Dakota | $102,040 | $58,320 | +$43,720 | ||
| Tennessee | $136,180 | $58,820 | +$77,360 | ||
| Texas | $154,200 | $62,310 | +$91,890 | ||
| Utah | $132,830 | $63,220 | +$69,610 | ||
| Vermont | $127,310 | $67,160 | +$60,150 | ||
| Virginia | $167,210 | $63,990 | +$103,220 | ||
| Washington | $154,130 | $79,400 | +$74,730 | ||
| West Virginia | $102,420 | $59,000 | +$43,420 | ||
| Wisconsin | $126,760 | $58,500 | +$68,260 | ||
| Wyoming | $100,130 | $49,490 | +$50,640 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Lawyers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $72,607 (116.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Lawyers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
The national median salary for a Lawyers is $134,711 per year, compared to $62,103 for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Lawyers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 754,500 Lawyers positions and 392,910 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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