Paralegals and Legal Assistants vs Web Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Web Developers professionals earn $29,920 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 49.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $98,990 compared to $162,870 for Web Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
Web Developers$48,560 – $162,870
$39,710$162,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Web Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $48,560 | $-8,850 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,190 | $63,140 | $-14,950 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 | $90,930 | $-29,920 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,280 | $124,300 | $-46,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,990 | $162,870 | $-63,880 |
| Mean (Average) | $66,510 | $98,790 | $-32,280 |
Employment Numbers
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
employed nationwide
Web Developers
78,860
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 Web Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $161,750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,490 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,040 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $120,750 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $117,560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Paralegals and Legal Assistants or Web Developers?
Web Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $29,920 (49.0% 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 Web Developers?
Web Developers salaries range from $48,560 (10th percentile) to $162,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,930.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants and Web Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions and 78,860 Web Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Web Developers 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 Web Developers earns $90,930. 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