Carpenters vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn $1,700 more per year than Carpenters professionals — that's 2.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$38,760$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $39,710 | $-950 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $48,190 | $-640 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $61,010 | $-1,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $78,280 | $-2,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $98,990 | $-620 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $66,510 | $-2,470 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
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: Carpenters or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,700 (2.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
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 Carpenters and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters 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 Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 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