Career comparison
Lawyer vs. Paralegal
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Lawyers earn more at the median ($159,670 vs. $62,890), while paralegals usually get to work faster (6 months to 2 years of training). Lawyers advise clients on the law and represent them in disputes and deals. Paralegals research, draft and organize legal work that supports attorneys and their clients.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Lawyer | Paralegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $159,670 ($76.76/hr) | $62,890 ($30.24/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $78,360 – $351,600 | $44,740 – $101,500 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.7% (about as fast as average) | -0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 28,700 | 40,800 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 7 years after high school | 6 months to 2 years |
| Key credential | State bar admission | Certified Paralegal (NALA CP) |
| Work setting | Lawyers work in offices, courtrooms and client sites.. | Paralegals work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies and nonprofits. |
What each job does
Lawyer
- Advise clients
- Research the law
- Draft contracts and documents
- Negotiate deals and settlements
- Represent clients in court
Paralegal
- Conduct legal and factual research
- Draft pleadings, motions, correspondence and contracts for attorney review
- Organize and manage case files and discovery documents
- Track deadlines and maintain the case calendar
- Prepare exhibits, trial binders and closing documents
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work and problem-solving. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose lawyer if…
- I like debate
- I read closely
- I write well
Choose paralegal if…
- I like research and writing
- I’m extremely detail-oriented
- I’m interested in law but don’t want law school (yet)
Still torn? Take the Lawyer fit quiz and the Paralegal fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, lawyer or paralegal?
Lawyers earn more at the median: $159,670 versus $62,890 for paralegals, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Paralegals typically train faster (6 months to 2 years) than lawyers (7 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects lawyers to grow +4.7% from 2025–35, compared with -0.3% for paralegals.