Lawyer vs Paralegal salary
In Japan, a lawyer earns about 128% more than a paralegal — $146,158 vs $64,122 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is JPY). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Lawyer | Paralegal |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $80,387 | $46,809 |
| 25th | $113,272 | $55,465 |
| Median | $146,158 | $64,122 |
| 75th | $186,351 | $74,702 |
| Senior (90th) | $226,545 | $85,282 |
National Japan figures in JPY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Legal comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a lawyer or paralegal earn more in Japan?
- A lawyer earns more, at about ￥23,660,000 per year vs ￥10,380,000 for a paralegal — roughly 128% (￥13,280,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Japan?
- A lawyer typically earns ￥13,013,000–￥36,673,000, while a paralegal earns ￥7,577,400–￥13,805,400 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in Japan?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a lawyer averages about ￥1,971,700 and a paralegal about ￥865,000.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Japan, a lawyer earns about ￥13,013,000 while a paralegal earns about ￥7,577,400 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Japan, a lawyer earns about ￥36,673,000 while a paralegal earns about ￥13,805,400 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.