Electrical Engineers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $50,900 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 83.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $39,710 | +$34,960 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $48,190 | +$39,400 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $61,010 | +$50,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $78,280 | +$63,350 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $98,990 | +$76,470 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $66,510 | +$54,470 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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: Electrical Engineers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $50,900 (83.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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 Electrical Engineers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers 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 Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 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