Salaries/Attorney vs Paralegal

Attorney vs Paralegal Salary

Side-by-side 2026 salary comparison across entry-level, mid-level, and senior pay for Attorney and Paralegal roles in the US.

Bottom line (mid-level, US median)

Attorneys earn $76,000 (123% more) than Paralegals on average.

Attorney vs Paralegal by City

LocationAttorney (Mid)Paralegal (Mid)Difference
New York$186K$83K+$103K
Los Angeles$167K$75K+$92K
Chicago$152K$68K+$84K
Dallas$145K$65K+$80K
Houston$144K$64K+$80K
Washington D.C.$174K$78K+$96K
Philadelphia$148K$66K+$82K
Atlanta$145K$65K+$80K

Legal

Attorney

Provide legal counsel, represent clients in court, draft contracts, and ensure regulatory compliance across practice areas.

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Legal

Paralegal

Support attorneys with research, drafting, document management, and case preparation.

See Paralegal salaries in all cities →
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