Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs. Lawyers: Who Earns More?
Lawyerss out-earn Paralegals and Legal Assistantss by $97K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Paralegals and Legal Assistantss land at $62,890 and Lawyerss at $159,670. The education gap is real: paralegals and legal assistant programs typically require associate's degree, while lawyer programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Paralegals and Legal Assistantss is District of Columbia ($89,750); for Lawyerss it's New York ($207,860).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Paralegals and Legal Assistants median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Paralegals and Legal Assistantss or Lawyerss?
Lawyerss earn more nationally. The median is $62,890 for Paralegals and Legal Assistantss versus $159,670 for Lawyerss, a difference of $97K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Lawyers?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Lawyers?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants typically requires associate's degree. Lawyers requires doctoral or professional degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Paralegals and Legal Assistantss get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Paralegals and Legal Assistantss at $89,750/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs. Lawyers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Paralegals and Legal Assistantss earn $89,750 vs. $195,190 for Lawyerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.