Compliance Officers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Compliance Officers professionals earn $17,410 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 28.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $39,710 | +$6,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $48,190 | +$10,940 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $61,010 | +$17,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $78,280 | +$26,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $98,990 | +$31,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $66,510 | +$18,470 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Compliance Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $104,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $96,280 |
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: Compliance Officers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Compliance Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,410 (28.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Compliance Officers?
Compliance Officers salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $130,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,420.
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 Compliance Officers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers 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 Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 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