Home / Compare / Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs. Lawyers Salary comparison Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs. Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2026) Paralegals and Legal Assistantss earn a median salary of $61,010/year, while Lawyerss earn $151,160/year - a difference of $90,150. Lawyerss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Lawyers
Median salary
$61,010
$151,160
Hourly rate
$29.33/hr
$72.67/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,710
$72,780
Senior level (90th %)
$98,990
$0
Education required
Varies
Varies
U.S. employment
367,220
747,750
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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