Fundraisers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Fundraisers professionals earn $5,480 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 9.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fundraisers earns $106,960 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Fundraisers$43,200 – $106,960
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$106,960
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fundraisers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $43,200 | $39,710 | +$3,490 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,590 | $48,190 | +$4,400 |
| Median (50th) | $66,490 | $61,010 | +$5,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,280 | $78,280 | +$7,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,960 | $98,990 | +$7,970 |
| Mean (Average) | $73,130 | $66,510 | +$6,620 |
Employment Numbers
Fundraisers
105,930
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Fundraisers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $104,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $90,850 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $80,010 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $79,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $78,670 |
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: Fundraisers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Fundraisers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,480 (9.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Fundraisers?
Fundraisers salaries range from $43,200 (10th percentile) to $106,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $66,490.
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 Fundraisers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 105,930 Fundraisers 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 Fundraisers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fundraisers has a median salary of $66,490 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