Accountant vs Paralegal: which pays more?
Accountants earn about $18,000 more per year than paralegals — roughly 30% higher at the national median. Here is how the two careers compare on pay, training, and outlook.
Accountant
$79,000
median per year
Accountants prepare and examine financial records, identify financial risks, and ensure taxes are paid properly.
Full accountant salary data →Paralegal
$61,000
median per year
Paralegals research legal issues, draft documents, and support attorneys.
Full paralegal salary data →Side-by-side breakdown
| Metric | Accountant | Paralegal |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $79,000 | $61,000 |
| Median hourly pay | $38 | $29 |
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $49,000 | $42,000 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $132,000 | $98,000 |
| Education required | Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance; CPA for advancement. | Associate degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's plus certificate. |
| Job outlook | 4% growth through 2033 — stable demand for financial expertise. | 1% growth through 2033 — stable legal support demand. |
Pay by state
| State | Accountant | Paralegal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $106,000 | $69,500 | +$36,500 for Accountant |
| New Jersey | $98,000 | $66,500 | +$31,500 for Accountant |
| California | $92,000 | $72,000 | +$20,000 for Accountant |
| Massachusetts | $92,000 | $69,000 | +$23,000 for Accountant |
| Washington | $88,000 | $68,500 | +$19,500 for Accountant |
| Illinois | $80,000 | $62,000 | +$18,000 for Accountant |
| Texas | $78,000 | $59,000 | +$19,000 for Accountant |
| Pennsylvania | $78,000 | $60,000 | +$18,000 for Accountant |
| Ohio | $74,000 | $57,500 | +$16,500 for Accountant |
| Florida | $72,000 | $56,000 | +$16,000 for Accountant |
Which career should you choose?
Pay is only one part of the decision. Accountants earn more on paper, but bachelor's degree in accounting or finance; cpa for advancement. takes longer and costs more than associate degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's plus certificate.. If you want to start earning sooner, paralegal is usually the faster route. If long-term earning ceiling matters most, accountant tops out at $132,000 versus $98,000.
Job security also differs: accountant outlook is "4% growth through 2033 — stable demand for financial expertise." while paralegal outlook is "1% growth through 2033 — stable legal support demand."