Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $39,740 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 65.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$39,710$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $59,830 | $-20,120 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $76,950 | $-28,760 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $100,750 | $-39,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $131,660 | $-53,380 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $165,790 | $-66,800 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $108,100 | $-41,590 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,740 (65.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Paralegals and Legal Assistants has a median salary of $61,010 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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