Home / Compare / Lawyers vs. Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary comparison Lawyers vs. Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2026) Lawyerss earn a median salary of $151,160/year, while Paralegals and Legal Assistantss earn $61,010/year - a difference of $90,150. Lawyerss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.
Lawyers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median salary
$151,160
$61,010
Hourly rate
$72.67/hr
$29.33/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$72,780
$39,710
Senior level (90th %)
$0
$98,990
Education required
Varies
Varies
U.S. employment
747,750
367,220
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), BEA Regional Price Parities & HUD Fair Market Rents.
Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Fair Market Rents). AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."
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