Education Administrators, Postsecondary vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn $42,950 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 70.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $212,420 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$212,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,820 | $39,710 | +$24,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,880 | $48,190 | +$31,690 |
| Median (50th) | $103,960 | $61,010 | +$42,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,940 | $78,280 | +$62,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $212,420 | $98,990 | +$113,430 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,450 | $66,510 | +$57,940 |
Employment Numbers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
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: Education Administrators, Postsecondary or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,950 (70.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary 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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Education Administrators, Postsecondary has a median salary of $103,960 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