Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Tax Preparers: 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 $10,450 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 20.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$98,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $30,500 | +$9,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $37,750 | +$10,440 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $50,560 | +$10,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $75,590 | +$2,690 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $96,240 | +$2,750 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $58,860 | +$7,650 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
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 Tax Preparers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $83,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $83,240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $74,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $71,990 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $68,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Tax Preparers?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $10,450 (20.7% 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 Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers salaries range from $30,500 (10th percentile) to $96,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $50,560.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers 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 Tax Preparers earns $50,560. 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