Credit Analysts vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Credit Analysts professionals earn $19,960 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 32.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Credit Analysts earns $168,840 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Credit Analysts$52,930 – $168,840
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$168,840
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Credit Analysts | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,930 | $39,710 | +$13,220 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,850 | $48,190 | +$15,660 |
| Median (50th) | $80,970 | $61,010 | +$19,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,850 | $78,280 | +$35,570 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,840 | $98,990 | +$69,850 |
| Mean (Average) | $98,040 | $66,510 | +$31,530 |
Employment Numbers
Credit Analysts
67,370
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Credit Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $133,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,470 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | $105,510 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,010 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $100,670 |
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: Credit Analysts or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Credit Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $19,960 (32.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Credit Analysts?
Credit Analysts salaries range from $52,930 (10th percentile) to $168,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $80,970.
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 Credit Analysts and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 67,370 Credit Analysts 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 Credit Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Credit Analysts has a median salary of $80,970 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