Nurse Practitioners vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $68,200 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 111.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Nurse Practitioners earns $169,950 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Nurse Practitioners | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $39,710 | +$58,250 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $48,190 | +$61,750 |
| Median (50th) | $129,210 | $61,010 | +$68,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $78,280 | +$71,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $98,990 | +$70,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $132,000 | $66,510 | +$65,490 |
Employment Numbers
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
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: Nurse Practitioners or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $68,200 (111.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
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 Nurse Practitioners and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 307,390 Nurse Practitioners 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 Nurse Practitioners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Nurse Practitioners has a median salary of $129,210 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