How the national numbers differ
1Paralegals and Legal Assistants has the edge on annual openings
Paralegals and Legal Assistants is at 40,800 annual openings, compared with 300 annual openings for Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators.
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators has the edge on projected growth
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators is at 4.7% projected growth, compared with -0.3% projected growth for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Typical preparation differs.
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators: Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: less than 5 years; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Associate's degree Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators has the edge on median pay
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators is at $75,530, compared with $62,890 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
39.4/ 100Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
vs
55.6/ 100Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.
Detailed evidence
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants
| Dimension | Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $75,530 | $62,890 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 65.6 percentile | 53.2 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | 4.7% | -0.3% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 300 | 40,800 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 10,500 | 404,900 |
|---|
| How you qualify | Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: less than 5 years; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing | Associate's degree |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 5 | Job Zone 3 |
| Related work experience | Prior related experience: less than 5 years. | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. |
| On-the-job training | More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing. | BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
