Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs. Lawyers: Who Earns More?
Lawyers out-earn Paralegals and Legal Assistants by $97K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Paralegals and Legal Assistants land at $62,890 and Lawyers 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 Assistants is District of Columbia ($89,750); for Lawyers 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 Assistants or Lawyers?
Lawyers earn more nationally. The median is $62,890 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants versus $159,670 for Lawyers, a difference of $97K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Lawyers?
Lawyers has the better 10-year outlook at 4.1% projected growth, compared to 0.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 Assistants get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Paralegals and Legal Assistants 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 Assistants earn $89,750 vs. $195,190 for Lawyers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.