Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Retail Salespersons: 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 $26,430 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 76.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $25,600 | +$14,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $29,140 | +$19,050 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $34,580 | +$26,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $37,850 | +$40,430 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $47,930 | +$51,060 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $37,150 | +$29,360 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Retail Salespersons?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,430 (76.4% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons 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 Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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