National salary comparison — BLS OES 2024-2025 data
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Data Analysts earn a national median of $102,200/year vs Paralegals at $59,200/year. Data Analysts earn 42% more nationally. The gap is $43,000 per year — or $3,583 per month.
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Data Analyst
$102,200
national median/year
$8,517/mo • $49/hr
VS
Paralegal
$59,200
national median/year
$4,933/mo • $28/hr
Annual salary gap
$43,000
Data Analysts earn 42% more per year nationally. Over 30 years at 7% investment return that gap compounds to approximately $487,418.
Best states for Paralegals
vs Data Analysts
Hawaii+$-26,120
Alaska+$-32,120
Arkansas+$-32,120
Iowa+$-32,120
Kansas+$-32,120
Best states for Data Analysts
vs Paralegals
California+$52,120
Massachusetts+$52,120
Washington+$52,120
Connecticut+$48,120
New York+$48,120
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Data Analysts earn more nationally. The median annual salary for Data Analysts is $102,200 versus $59,200 for Paralegals — a difference of $43,000 per year or $3,583 per month.
The national median salary gap between Data Analysts and Paralegals is $43,000 per year. Data Analysts earn 42% more. Over a 30-year career this difference, if invested at 7% annual return, compounds to approximately $487,418.
Based on BLS OES 2024-2025 data, California pays Data Analysts the highest median salary at $128,320 per year.
Based on BLS OES 2024-2025 data, California pays Paralegals the highest median salary at $76,200 per year.
Salary is one factor — Data Analysts earn more nationally. But career choice involves job satisfaction, work-life balance, education requirements, and job growth. Business Intelligence Analysts and Paralegals and Legal Assistants both have different educational paths, licensing requirements, and long-term growth projections. Use salary as a starting point, not the only factor.
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, Data Analysts earn approximately $49 per hour nationally and Paralegals earn approximately $28 per hour. Actual hourly rates vary based on overtime, part-time work, and whether the role is salaried or hourly.
Methodology: Salary data from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024-2025. Figures represent median annual wages for wage and salary workers. Self-employed excluded. Hourly rates calculated at 2,080 hours per year. State salary figures from same BLS OES dataset. Updated annually.
