Earning Power: Navigating Salaries and Career Growth as a Paralegal

A paralegal performs certain legal duties in a law firm, corporation, or government agency. Their coursework, academic experiences, and on-the-job experience qualify paralegals to perform these duties. They are typically assigned work by an attorney, who then assumes responsibility. This work can include a variety of important tasks such as research, drafting documents filed with the court, assisting in case preparation for trial, and helping witnesses prepare for deposition.

Although some people use legal assistant and paralegal interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. The main difference is that a legal assistant’s duties will be more administrative, while a paralegal will do more hands-on legal work alongside an attorney, like researching laws and regulations or making contact with various people involved in litigation or transactions.

Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals make approximately $59,200 annually. The top 10% of paralegals earned over $94,960, while the bottom 10% earned less than $37,690. 

However, it is important to note that paralegal salaries can differ depending on the industry they work for and the type of work they do. Some industries that pay more for paralegal work include:

However, these figures will depend on numerous factors, including the paralegal’s experience, geographic location, and the specific sector the paralegal settles into.

Paralegal salaries vary significantly across the United States, particularly in larger cities where wages tend to be higher. For example, in California, the average base salary for paralegals is approximately $65,525. However, this figure can range from $40,823 to $105,175 depending on the specific metropolitan area:

In contrast, Idaho, with an average annual paralegal salary of $49,930, and Mississippi, with an annual average wage of $46,060, have the lowest average yearly salaries.

A paralegal's education can also affect how much a paralegal earns. According to NALA, the Paralegal Association,  those with higher education degrees earn more than their counterparts.

For example, paralegals with an associate degree earned around $61,734 per year on average, while those with a bachelor's degree made about $64,825 per year. NALA also highlights that paralegals who have acquired certifications have better career opportunities, which may result in more chances for growth and promotions. In fact, obtaining certification and becoming a certified paralegal can lead to an average yearly salary increase of almost $5,000.

The income of paralegals can vary significantly depending on the areas of law they specialize in. Paralegals specializing in corporate law, intellectual property, or litigation may receive higher salaries than legal professionals in different fields. This is because specific knowledge tends to be more valuable and requires a higher proficiency level.

A paralegal’s earnings can also be influenced by their experience. Different salaries are associated with various paralegal positions, such as entry-level, mid-level, and senior positions. The differences between these positions are usually due to their job descriptions, level of work, and independence.

For example, the primary duty of an entry level paralegal is to assist attorneys and other legal professionals with administrative tasks. This position entails drafting papers, making appointments, and answering correspondence. Alternatively, mid level paralegals are involved in more substantive legal work, such as preparing legal drafts, conducting legal research, and assisting in preparing cases. On the other hand, senior paralegals are known for having more extensive knowledge and experience. Such jobs are typically complicated and tend to be less supervised than other employees.

Entry-level paralegals earn an average hourly wage of $19.32 in America, whereas senior paralegals receive $36 per hour on average. To maximize earning potential and advance within the field, one must have several years of experience working as a paralegal and taking formal training through continuing education programs or skill development courses. Obtaining a paralegal certificate is also a great way to become more competitive in the job market.

The BLS reports that paralegal demand will remain strong through 2024 and beyond. The BLS also calculates that the number of paralegals' job positions will increase annually by an average of 38,000 jobs during the next ten years. This implies that individuals interested in this field will have a wide range of career paths to choose from, including criminal law, real estate law, civil litigation law, family law, and bankruptcy. Furthermore, those who strive for growth within the paralegal profession can set their sights on supervisory or managerial positions such as senior paralegal and paralegal supervisor.

In recent years, there has been growing competition in the paralegal industry. Paralegals provide legal support services to lawyers and firms, which makes it essential for them to be fairly compensated for their work. That is why knowing how to negotiate salary to receive what they deserve is good.

Paralegals are vital to law firms and other entities, rendering valuable support to lawyers and practitioners in different facets of legal practice. Consequently, this occupation can be a lucrative career for people with appropriate qualifications, training, and positions. Yet, individuals need to know how to advance in this profession to achieve better earnings.

If you want to move ahead in your career, achieve more, or make more money as a paralegal, there are different opportunities you could explore. These might involve joining paralegal associations, taking a certification exam, or enrolling in paralegal programs.