Side-by-side compensation comparison across national and state-level data.
Lawyer / Attorneys out-earn Paralegals by $92,100 (139%) on median.
Percentiles for 2026. Higher percentile values reflect senior/specialized roles.
| Percentile | Lawyer / Attorney | Paralegal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | $94,300 | $51,400 | $42,900 |
| Median (50th) | $158,500 | $66,400 | $92,100 |
| 75th | $248,500 | $85,700 | $162,800 |
| 90th (top earners) | $391,000 | $109,300 | $281,700 |
Which job wins in each state (based on median annual salary).
| State | Lawyer / Attorney | Paralegal | Higher Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $241,000 | $86,300 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Texas | $190,200 | $71,700 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Florida | $161,700 | $67,700 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| New York | $250,500 | $89,700 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Pennsylvania | $164,900 | $69,100 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Illinois | $206,100 | $72,400 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Ohio | $147,400 | $61,800 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Georgia | $163,300 | $68,400 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| North Carolina | $157,000 | $65,800 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Michigan | $152,200 | $63,800 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| New Jersey | $199,800 | $83,700 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Virginia | $179,200 | $75,100 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Washington | $206,100 | $86,300 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Arizona | $160,100 | $67,100 | Lawyer / Attorney |
| Massachusetts | $225,100 | $86,300 | Lawyer / Attorney |
BigLaw starts at $225K base in 2026. Solo and small firm comp wildly variable.
BigLaw paralegals routinely clear $100K with overtime. Solo and corp pay more conservatively.
Nationally, Lawyer / Attorneys out-earn Paralegals by approximately $92,100 per year (139% difference). However, this varies by state, experience level, and specific employer.
Both fields have positive 2026 growth outlooks. Lawyer / Attorneys are projected at +3.5% YoY wage growth, while Paralegals are at +3.5%. Beyond wage growth, consider opportunity density (job openings) and your geographic flexibility.
Lawyer / Attorney typically requires: BigLaw starts at $225K base in 2026. Solo and small firm comp wildly variable.. Paralegal typically requires: BigLaw paralegals routinely clear $100K with overtime. Solo and corp pay more conservatively.. Compare the formal requirements against your existing skills and education to assess the switching cost.
Salary is one input among many. Job satisfaction, skills transferability, geographic fit, and long-term ceiling matter as much as median pay. Use this as a benchmark, then dig into job descriptions and talk to people in both fields before deciding.