Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Transit and Railroad Police: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn $21,310 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 34.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $141,870 for Transit and Railroad Police.
Salary Range Comparison
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
Transit and Railroad Police$58,370 – $141,870
$39,710$141,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Transit and Railroad Police | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $58,370 | $-18,660 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $65,920 | $-17,730 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $82,320 | $-21,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $114,040 | $-35,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $141,870 | $-42,880 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $91,820 | $-25,310 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Transit and Railroad Police
3,000
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 Transit and Railroad Police
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,490 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $91,930 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,220 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,310 (34.9% 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 Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police salaries range from $58,370 (10th percentile) to $141,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $82,320.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Transit and Railroad Police jobs are there?
There are approximately 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 3,000 Transit and Railroad Police positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Transit and Railroad Police 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 Transit and Railroad Police earns $82,320. 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