Fast Food and Counter Workers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn $30,530 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 100.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$22,620$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $39,710 | $-17,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $48,190 | $-21,040 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $61,010 | $-30,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $78,280 | $-42,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | $98,990 | $-60,190 |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $66,510 | $-35,160 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
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: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,530 (100.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
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 Fast Food and Counter Workers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fast Food and Counter Workers has a median salary of $30,480 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