Lawyer vs Paralegal salary
In China, a lawyer earns about 126% more than a paralegal — $119,765 vs $53,098 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is CNY). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Lawyer | Paralegal |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $65,871 | $38,761 |
| 25th | $92,818 | $45,929 |
| Median | $119,765 | $53,098 |
| 75th | $152,700 | $61,859 |
| Senior (90th) | $185,635 | $70,620 |
National China figures in CNY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Legal comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a lawyer or paralegal earn more in China?
- A lawyer earns more, at about ¥812,000 per year vs ¥360,000 for a paralegal — roughly 126% (¥452,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in China?
- A lawyer typically earns ¥446,600–¥1,258,600, while a paralegal earns ¥262,800–¥478,800 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a lawyer averages about ¥67,700 and a paralegal about ¥30,000.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in China, a lawyer earns about ¥446,600 while a paralegal earns about ¥262,800 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in China, a lawyer earns about ¥1,258,600 while a paralegal earns about ¥478,800 per year.
- Are lawyer and paralegal similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Legal category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.