Home Health and Personal Care Aides 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 $26,110 more per year than Home Health and Personal Care Aides professionals — that's 74.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Home Health and Personal Care Aides earns $44,190 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$25,600 – $44,190
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$25,600$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,600 | $39,710 | $-14,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,370 | $48,190 | $-17,820 |
| Median (50th) | $34,900 | $61,010 | $-26,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,980 | $78,280 | $-40,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,190 | $98,990 | $-54,800 |
| Mean (Average) | $34,990 | $66,510 | $-31,520 |
Employment Numbers
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
3,988,140
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Home Health and Personal Care Aides
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,690 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $44,320 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,790 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $39,520 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $38,360 |
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: Home Health and Personal Care Aides or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,110 (74.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Home Health and Personal Care Aides salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $44,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,900.
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 Home Health and Personal Care Aides and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,988,140 Home Health and Personal Care Aides 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 Home Health and Personal Care Aides?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Home Health and Personal Care Aides has a median salary of $34,900 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