Do Paralegals Make Good Money? What You Can Expect

Paralegals work for lawyers, law firms, or legal aid societies and, according to the American Bar Association, “perform substantive legal work” under the supervision of an attorney. They are an essential part of the legal system and do much of the legal work in a law office, typically performing most of the legal writing, research, and case work for their attorneys.

Paralegals are in constant demand in the legal field, since they do most of the behind-the-scenes work for their offices. They are not “just secretaries,” even though they are not lawyers. You can expect to earn a substantial salary as a paralegal, especially if you take the time to become certified or earn your degree.

What Is the Average Salary for Paralegals?

The average income for paralegals varies drastically by state and specialty. Paralegals with many years of experience in niche practice areas command much higher salaries than those who have just entered the field or who work in general practice.

The average salary for paralegals not only depends on where they work but also who they work for. The most recent national data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts the median salary at just under $61,000 per year. Depending on the location, new paralegals can earn around $40,000 per year, and senior paralegals can make around $98,000 per year — especially in attorney-heavy states like New York and D.C.

Factors That Influence Paralegal Salary

Many factors affect how much a paralegal can make. A review of some popular job boards like ZipRecruiter and Indeed shows that most legal experts agree that these factors heavily influence paralegal salaries:

• Education level:

Having a paralegal certificate or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree will ultimately lead to higher-paying positions than “earn as you learn” jobs.

• Practice area:

Corporate law and litigation paralegals receive higher salaries than those in public interest or family law. Niche and boutique firms may pay more than general practice law firms.

• Firm size:

Larger firms can afford higher salaries and benefits than sole practitioners or start-up firms.

• Firm location:

Metro areas generally pay better than rural areas and suburbs; however, suburban areas in some states, such as New York, may have better pay rates than cities in other states, such as Alabama.

• Certification:

Large law firms may require certification from a professional organization like NALA or NFPA.

• Seniority:

Regardless of other factors, paralegals who have been in the field for many years command a higher salary than newcomers. A paralegal who has been working in family law in the same city for 40 years is at the top of their industry, even without any other certifications or degrees.

How Paralegal Salaries Vary by State and Metro Area

According to BLS, four of the 10 highest-paying metro areas for paralegals are in California; not surprisingly, since some of the highest cost-of-living areas are located there as well. Even within California, annual salary ranges from a low of $75,000 in Sacramento to a high of $100,000 in San Jose.

Rounding out the other top 10 metro areas for paralegals are:

• 1.    San Jose, CA

• 2.    San Francisco, CA

• 3.    Washington, DC

• 4.    Seattle, WA

• 5.    Midland, MI

• 6.    Santa Cruz, CA

• 7.    Los Angeles, CA

• 8.    Denver, CO

• 9.    New York, NY

• 10. Sacramento, CA

Hourly pay

ZipRecruiter calculates that the average hourly pay for a paralegal is $28.72. With so many factors affecting the average salary, this is only a rough estimate of what a paralegal might earn in any market.

Entry-level pay for a paralegal is still reasonably substantial. According to ZipRecruiter, these are average annual and hourly wages for four select states.

	Annual	Hourly
California	$58,948	$28.34
New York	$65,347	$31.42
Texas	$55,648	$26.75
Florida	$44,636	$21.46

Paralegals in High-Demand Fields

Paralegals in high-demand fields like litigation, corporate law, and intellectual property command much higher salaries. Senior paralegals with extensive experience in any field are highly valued.

A senior paralegal has more knowledge than other paralegals in the office and may have more legal knowledge than some beginning or associate attorneys. Like a senior office manager, the senior paralegal is the one who knows the most about the office and court routines and can give newcomers advice about procedure.

Paralegals with a good understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and other high-tech aspects of the law office are becoming more essential. E-discovery has become a staple of litigation, so paralegals must know what it is and how it relates to the discovery process.

Job Outlook and Career Satisfaction

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics places paralegal job growth at about 1.4% over the next eight to 10 years. This is about average for all professions and remains steady. Some areas have higher or lower job growth, depending on the economic growth in that area. Metro areas high in attorneys and law firms may have a greater demand for paralegals. The BLS also reports that nearly 75% of all paralegals work in legal service agencies, including law offices. Those seeking stable careers with high salaries and lots of perks will want to work in areas with a significant need for paralegals and legal assistants.

Job Satisfaction

A U.S. News & World Report survey found that paralegals rated their jobs “average” for upward mobility and pay, but “above average” in both stress levels and work-life balance. Paralegals do the “grunt work” for which attorneys take most of the credit; on the other hand, attorneys take all the responsibility if something goes wrong.

Once you have learned the ropes of the paralegal career, you can advance in many directions. Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in legal studies can help boost your career options. Advanced certifications are available from professional organizations, and CLEs keep you current in your chosen practice area.

How to Increase Your Paralegal Salary

Even after you start working, you can still advance your career and obtain a certificate, degree, or advanced certification. Many degrees are available online and designed for working professionals who want to increase their employability and salary options.

• A certificate can be obtained through colleges and online courses. Basic certificates are prerequisites for advanced certificates in specialized areas.

• An associate’s degree (A.A.) is a two-year degree that can be earned at a college or university. The A.A. requires general education courses, as well as legal studies classes, but prepares you for additional study if you plan to advance your career. Many A.A. degrees are offered online.

• A bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) is a four-year degree. Bachelor’s degrees are required if you plan to continue your education and get a law degree or a graduate degree like a master of Legal Studies or an MBA. Like A.A. degrees, bachelor’s degrees can be found fully online. If you need to work while you study, you can still get your degree.

• Certifications are given by professional organizations like NALA. Certification means you have met the qualifications of the organization and have passed their exams. These may be very stringent. For instance, NALA requires a four-year degree or equivalent experience, passing a 200-question multiple-choice exam, and a two-hour essay exam. Organizations also have advanced certifications in specialized practice areas.

Paralegal Salary FAQs

How much do paralegals earn?

Paralegals earn an average of $60,000 per year. Salaries range from $47,000 to over $100,000, depending on your degree of experience, education, practice area, and location.

Can you become a paralegal with a criminal justice degree?

Any degree is a bonus in the legal field. A criminal justice degree would benefit a paralegal working in litigation or the criminal justice field.

Can you become a paralegal without going to school?

You can become a paralegal without any education. Some employers may require a bachelor’s degree or paralegal certification; however, unlike becoming an attorney, there are no formal requirements to become a paralegal. It’s important to note that you cannot call yourself a certified paralegal unless you have taken and passed NALA’s certification exam.

Do paralegals make less money than lawyers in big law firms?

In general, yes, paralegals make less money than lawyers in both big law firms and small firms. Attorneys can practice law and give legal advice, while paralegals cannot. Thus, they have much more responsibility and greater liability than paralegals. Like any licensed professional, attorneys are expected to know more and do more for their clients than paralegals.

How much does a certified paralegal make in California?

A certified paralegal in California will still make the state average. Paralegals make more in California overall, but there is no certification or licensing requirement for California paralegals.

Conclusion

When you become a paralegal, whether through on-the-job training or through classroom work, your salary depends on your education, experience, location, and practice area. You can always improve your negotiating power by improving your education and specialization with certification and additional education.

Spend time online and review paralegal courses, continuing legal education classes (CLE), and professional organization certifications. NALA, NFPA, and other organizations have both basic and advanced certifications for members. Reach out to college and university admissions offices for more information about online programs.