Office Clerks, General 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 $17,380 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 39.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Office Clerks, General earns $63,840 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$29,120$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Office Clerks, General | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $29,120 | $39,710 | $-10,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,350 | $48,190 | $-12,840 |
| Median (50th) | $43,630 | $61,010 | $-17,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,560 | $78,280 | $-25,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,840 | $98,990 | $-35,150 |
| Mean (Average) | $45,470 | $66,510 | $-21,040 |
Employment Numbers
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
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: Office Clerks, General or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,380 (39.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
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 Office Clerks, General and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General 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 Office Clerks, General?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Office Clerks, General has a median salary of $43,630 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