Loan Officers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Loan Officers professionals earn $13,170 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 21.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Loan Officers earns $145,780 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Loan Officers$38,490 – $145,780
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$38,490$145,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Loan Officers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,490 | $39,710 | $-1,220 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,460 | $48,190 | +$2,270 |
| Median (50th) | $74,180 | $61,010 | +$13,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,920 | $78,280 | +$23,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $145,780 | $98,990 | +$46,790 |
| Mean (Average) | $86,020 | $66,510 | +$19,510 |
Employment Numbers
Loan Officers
290,530
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Loan Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $102,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $94,850 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $94,110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $91,900 |
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: Loan Officers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Loan Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,170 (21.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Loan Officers?
Loan Officers salaries range from $38,490 (10th percentile) to $145,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $74,180.
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 Loan Officers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 290,530 Loan Officers 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 Loan Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Loan Officers has a median salary of $74,180 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