Natural Sciences Managers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $100,170 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 164.2% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Natural Sciences Managers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,830 | $39,710 | +$40,120 |
| 25th Percentile | $114,110 | $48,190 | +$65,920 |
| Median (50th) | $161,180 | $61,010 | +$100,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $214,820 | $78,280 | +$136,540 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $98,990 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $173,500 | $66,510 | +$106,990 |
Employment Numbers
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
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: Natural Sciences Managers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $100,170 (164.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
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 Natural Sciences Managers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers 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 Natural Sciences Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Natural Sciences Managers has a median salary of $161,180 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