National Salary Overview
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median Salary
$58,945
Average (Mean)
$62,659
Employed Nationwide
353,430
VS
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Median Salary
$54,492
Average (Mean)
$58,213
Employed Nationwide
49,030
Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $4,453 more (8.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$58,945
$54,492
Average (Mean) Salary
$62,659
$58,213
Total Employment
353,430
49,030
States with Higher Pay
35
12
Salary by State: Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Showing 47 states where both occupations have BLS data. Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 35 states; Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers pays more in 12.
| State | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,780 | $50,470 | $-2,690 | ||
| Alaska | $59,120 | $72,970 | $-13,850 | ||
| Arizona | $61,080 | $59,860 | +$1,220 | ||
| California | $75,140 | $78,330 | $-3,190 | ||
| Colorado | $68,860 | $67,500 | +$1,360 | ||
| Connecticut | $69,370 | $55,220 | +$14,150 | ||
| Delaware | $63,930 | $55,570 | +$8,360 | ||
| Florida | $60,650 | $50,740 | +$9,910 | ||
| Georgia | $58,540 | $40,010 | +$18,530 | ||
| Hawaii | $60,460 | $73,820 | $-13,360 | ||
| Idaho | $48,190 | $46,740 | +$1,450 | ||
| Illinois | $57,360 | $55,660 | +$1,700 | ||
| Indiana | $48,990 | $44,350 | +$4,640 | ||
| Iowa | $59,020 | $44,500 | +$14,520 | ||
| Kansas | $47,320 | $49,810 | $-2,490 | ||
| Kentucky | $49,800 | $47,980 | +$1,820 | ||
| Louisiana | $48,210 | $47,300 | +$910 | ||
| Maryland | $64,940 | $62,010 | +$2,930 | ||
| Massachusetts | $70,570 | $58,980 | +$11,590 | ||
| Michigan | $59,970 | $50,000 | +$9,970 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,590 | $59,900 | +$2,690 | ||
| Mississippi | $38,450 | $46,130 | $-7,680 | ||
| Missouri | $59,890 | $42,430 | +$17,460 | ||
| Montana | $56,400 | $52,390 | +$4,010 | ||
| Nebraska | $58,080 | $46,320 | +$11,760 | ||
| Nevada | $62,700 | $61,760 | +$940 | ||
| New Hampshire | $59,160 | $58,350 | +$810 | ||
| New Jersey | $68,370 | $65,350 | +$3,020 | ||
| New Mexico | $52,000 | $47,630 | +$4,370 | ||
| New York | $73,740 | $63,870 | +$9,870 | ||
| North Carolina | $52,000 | $57,170 | $-5,170 | ||
| North Dakota | $54,490 | $58,510 | $-4,020 | ||
| Ohio | $53,330 | $49,710 | +$3,620 | ||
| Oklahoma | $55,560 | $45,790 | +$9,770 | ||
| Oregon | $63,410 | $76,640 | $-13,230 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $61,220 | $47,870 | +$13,350 | ||
| Rhode Island | $68,190 | $60,300 | +$7,890 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,790 | $40,260 | +$7,530 | ||
| South Dakota | $59,040 | $50,310 | +$8,730 | ||
| Tennessee | $50,510 | $45,160 | +$5,350 | ||
| Texas | $58,740 | $51,030 | +$7,710 | ||
| Utah | $52,000 | $54,930 | $-2,930 | ||
| Virginia | $59,580 | $45,720 | +$13,860 | ||
| Washington | $69,260 | $58,400 | +$10,860 | ||
| West Virginia | $50,840 | $70,640 | $-19,800 | ||
| Wisconsin | $53,040 | $56,430 | $-3,390 | ||
| Wyoming | $50,860 | $46,470 | +$4,390 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers?
On average across all states, a Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns more than a Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers. The national median salary difference is $4,453 (8.2%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn more than a Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers?
A Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers in 35 out of 47 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers pays more in 12 states.
What is the median salary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers?
The national median salary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants is $58,945 per year, compared to $54,492 for a Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers?
There are more people employed as Paralegals and Legal Assistants. BLS reports approximately 353,430 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 49,030 Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers?
Both Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers 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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