Paralegals: How do you survive on a UK salary ??

most paralegal salaries i have seen are around $28,000 and the is with experience. it is my understanding that most firms only hire paralegals that want to eventually become solicitors, right? Based on salaries; the only way to get a decent salaries (30-45) is to become a solicitor. So that means legal secretary and paralegal or really just stepping stones not long-term careers???
so one would assume that legal executive is the way to the big money. not so, i have seen legal executive jobs that pay about the same as paralegal salaries. help me out ?? what is the deal with the UK pay scale. Should i assume these are just entry-level salaries or is this really the max for someone not interested in becoming a solicitor.

There must be a big misunder standing.. Para–usually do not have 4 year degrees and that is an awful lot of money to pay. For a little education… I don’t know if you are not happy with the pay –think you do need to look for a career change… Law Enforcement will live forever..

Entry-Level Paralegal Positions – Hound.Com