Graphic Designers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Graphic Designers professionals earn $290 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 0.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Graphic Designers earns $103,030 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$37,600$103,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Graphic Designers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $37,600 | $39,710 | $-2,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,200 | $48,190 | $-990 |
| Median (50th) | $61,300 | $61,010 | +$290 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $78,280 | +$720 |
| 90th Percentile | $103,030 | $98,990 | +$4,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $68,610 | $66,510 | +$2,100 |
Employment Numbers
Graphic Designers
214,260
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
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: Graphic Designers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Graphic Designers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $290 (0.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
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 Graphic Designers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 214,260 Graphic Designers 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 Graphic Designers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Graphic Designers has a median salary of $61,300 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