Data Scientists vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $51,580 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 84.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $39,710 | +$23,940 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $48,190 | +$34,440 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $61,010 | +$51,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $78,280 | +$77,530 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $98,990 | +$95,420 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $66,510 | +$58,080 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $51,580 (84.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists 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 Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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