Labor Relations Specialists vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn $32,490 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 53.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Labor Relations Specialists earns $153,440 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Labor Relations Specialists$49,880 – $153,440
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$153,440
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Labor Relations Specialists | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $49,880 | $39,710 | +$10,170 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,670 | $48,190 | +$19,480 |
| Median (50th) | $93,500 | $61,010 | +$32,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,090 | $78,280 | +$44,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,440 | $98,990 | +$54,450 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,130 | $66,510 | +$30,620 |
Employment Numbers
Labor Relations Specialists
64,590
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Labor Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $145,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,460 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $118,620 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $106,180 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,710 |
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: Labor Relations Specialists or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,490 (53.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists salaries range from $49,880 (10th percentile) to $153,440 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,500.
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 Labor Relations Specialists and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,590 Labor Relations Specialists 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 Labor Relations Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Labor Relations Specialists has a median salary of $93,500 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