Business Operations Specialists, All Other vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Business Operations Specialists, All Other professionals earn $20,260 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 33.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Business Operations Specialists, All Other earns $147,830 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$46,230 – $147,830
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$147,830
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Business Operations Specialists, All Other | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $39,710 | +$6,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,820 | $48,190 | +$12,630 |
| Median (50th) | $81,270 | $61,010 | +$20,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,030 | $78,280 | +$31,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,830 | $98,990 | +$48,840 |
| Mean (Average) | $92,380 | $66,510 | +$25,870 |
Employment Numbers
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
1,128,200
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Business Operations Specialists, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $106,680 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $104,000 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,420 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,440 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $96,300 |
Best Cities for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,230 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $84,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $80,550 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Business Operations Specialists, All Other or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Business Operations Specialists, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,260 (33.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Business Operations Specialists, All Other?
Business Operations Specialists, All Other salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $147,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,270.
What is the salary range for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries range from $39,710 (10th percentile) to $98,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,010.
How many Business Operations Specialists, All Other and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,128,200 Business Operations Specialists, All Other positions and 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Paralegals and Legal Assistants to Business Operations Specialists, All Other?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Business Operations Specialists, All Other has a median salary of $81,270 while Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $61,010. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS