State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Paralegal Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants is $62,890 a year ($30.24/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 0.2% through 2034, with about 39,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
SOC 23-2011LegalLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $62,890
- Projected growth
- +0.2%
- Openings a year
- 39,300
- Typical education
- Associate's
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Immigration Paralegal, Law Associate, Legal Analyst, Legal Assistant, Legal Clerk, Legal Processing Assistant.
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make?
10th percentile$44,740
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$50,340
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$62,890
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$80,080
Upper quartile
90th percentile$101,500
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $62,890 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $30.24/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $69,700 |
| People employed | 392,880 |
Versus all US occupations
At $62,890, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn 23% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $11,910 a year.
Versus legal occupations
Inside the Legal group, where the middle occupation pays $75,530, this is 17% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $101,500 or more while the bottom 10% earn $44,740, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 47% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $89,750, and still leads at $81,664 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Paralegals and Legal Assistants the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $89,750 | $81,664 | 6,400 |
| Washington | $79,400 | $74,197 | 9,460 |
| Colorado | $78,190 | $75,874 | 5,620 |
| Massachusetts | $77,640 | $73,414 | 7,800 |
| California | $77,390 | $69,897 | 47,130 |
| Minnesota | $75,570 | $76,627 | 7,400 |
| New Jersey | $71,500 | $65,714 | 12,010 |
| Alaska | $68,700 | $67,117 | 570 |
| New York | $68,410 | $63,389 | 34,220 |
| Vermont | $67,160 | $68,560 | 660 |
Is Paralegal a growing career?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants0.2%
All US occupations3.1%
+0.2% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Paralegals and Legal Assistants to change 0.2% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 39,300 openings are projected each year, 10.4% of the 376,200 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Despite declining employment, about 39,300 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Law firms are expected to continue to be the largest employer of paralegals and legal assistants, as these workers are needed to help prepare and organize legal documents. However, employment growth for these workers may be limited by advances in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are expected to make paralegals and legal assistants more efficient at tasks such as conducting research and preparing documents, which may reduce demand for these workers.
How to become a Paralegal
Paralegal is not a licensed occupation in almost all states, and every paralegal certification available in the United States is voluntary — the ABA states plainly that there is currently no mandatory certification examination for paralegals anywhere in the country. Entry is gated by employers, most commonly through an associate degree or a certificate in paralegal studies. The ABA approves paralegal education programs; it does not certify individual paralegals.
The credential path, step by step
- Complete a paralegal education program2 years (associate) or 4 years (bachelor's); certificate programs run about 4 months to 2 years
The common path is an associate degree in paralegal studies; some employers prefer or require a bachelor's degree, often in a subject such as social science or business, plus a certificate in paralegal studies. Note that paralegal education is not the equivalent of a law school education — graduates are not eligible to take the bar examination, and paralegal course credit is generally not transferable for advanced standing in law school.
- Prefer an ABA-approved program
ABA approval is voluntary for the institution and is not required for you to work, but it is the recognized quality marker. Check the ABA's directory, which lists only currently approved programs.
- Get practical experience through an internship
Many paralegal programs include an internship in a private law firm, public defender or attorney general's office, corporate legal department, legal aid organization or government agency.
- Get hired — no license required
There is no licensing exam to clear. Employers set the bar, and some hire candidates with no legal background and train them on the job. If you will work in California, check the state's title-use qualifications first.
- Optionally certify
After meeting the education and work-experience eligibility rules, you can sit a voluntary certification exam — NALA's CP, or NFPA's PACE (RP) or PCCE (CRP). Some employers prefer or require candidates who have completed a certification program.
Exams you have to pass
Certified Paralegal Examination (CP)
Voluntary national certification examination on knowledge and skills used in the profession. NALA began sponsoring the exam in 1975 as the Certified Legal Assistant examination. Candidates must meet NALA's education and work-experience eligibility requirements to sit it.
Administered by NALA — The Paralegal Association.
Paralegal Advanced Competency Examination (PACE)
Voluntary examination leading to the PACE Registered Paralegal (RP) designation, aimed at experienced paralegals.
Administered by National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE)
Voluntary examination leading to the CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP) designation.
Administered by National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
- Program accreditation
ABA approval · ABA Approval of Paralegal Education Programs
Seeking ABA approval is a voluntary process initiated by the institution offering the program, and ABA approval is not needed to work as a paralegal — but it is the main quality signal employers use, and some employers prefer graduates of approved programs. To be eligible a program must have operated for at least two academic years, have graduated students, and fully satisfy the ABA Guidelines; approval involves a self-evaluation report and an on-site visit, and approved programs go through the full evaluation process every seven years. Certificates offering fewer than 18 semester credits of legal specialty coursework are not approved program options. The ABA has identified roughly 500 formal paralegal education programs overall, of which only the currently ABA-approved ones appear in its directory.
- How long the training takes
2 years for an associate degree in paralegal studies
Certificate programs run from about four or five months to two years; baccalaureate degree programs in paralegal studies take four years. Length and admission requirements vary considerably from one institution to another.
- Continuing education
Not required
Not required to work as a paralegal in general. Maintaining a voluntary certification typically requires completing a specified number of hours of continuing education, and California's title-use rules impose continuing education requirements on people using the paralegal title in that state.
Licensing and state variation
Not a state license
No state licenses paralegals as a condition of doing the work, and there is no mandatory certification examination for paralegals anywhere in the United States. California is the only state that regulates paralegals directly: California Business and Professions Code sections 6450 through 6456 require anyone using the titles 'paralegal', 'legal assistant' and the like to meet certain educational or experiential qualifications and to meet continuing education requirements. A small number of state supreme courts have separately created limited-scope practitioner licenses, which are a different role from the paralegal job and carry their own qualification and continuing-education rules. Everywhere else, entry is set by employers, who sometimes hire candidates with no legal experience or legal education and train them on the job.
Who governs the credential
- American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals (ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals) — Sets the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs and, through its Approval Commission, approves programs against them. The ABA does not certify paralegals: graduates may not represent themselves as 'ABA-certified paralegals' because the ABA's approval applies to the education program rather than to the individual.
- NALA — The Paralegal Association (NALA) — Offers the voluntary Certified Paralegal (CP) credential, a national certification awarded on passing a comprehensive examination, together with Advanced Certified Paralegal (APC) specialty examinations. NALA describes the program as a positive, ongoing, voluntary form of self-regulation.
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) — Offers the Paralegal Advanced Competency Examination (PACE), leading to the PACE Registered Paralegal (RP) designation, and the Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE), leading to the CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP) designation. Both are voluntary.
- NALS...the association for legal professionals (NALS) — Sponsors voluntary certifications for legal support professionals, including Accredited Legal Professional (ALP), Certified Legal Professional (CLP) and Professional Paralegal (PP).
Credential detail for paralegals is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Paralegals and Legal Assistants · checked August 23, 2026
- American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals — Educational Information for Paralegals · checked August 23, 2026
- American Bar Association — Frequently Asked Questions on ABA Approval of Paralegal Programs · checked August 23, 2026
- NALA — The Paralegal Association, Certification · checked August 23, 2026
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Paralegals and legal assistants typically need an associate’s degree or certificate in paralegal studies to enter the occupation. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree; others may consider candidates who have a high school diploma and experience.
| Typical entry-level education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as paralegals and legal assistants.
- Bachelor's Degree36.9%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)20.1%
- High School Diploma18.6%
- Doctoral Degree10.0%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate9.6%
What does a Paralegal do?
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Paralegals and legal assistants support lawyers by performing a variety of tasks, such as maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents.
Day-to-day tasks
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most paralegals and legal assistants work full time.
Where the work happens
- Indoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day
Physical demands
- Seated for more than half the working day
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where paralegals and legal assistants work
| Legal services | 74% |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 5% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 5% |
| Finance and insurance | 3% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 3% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Writing4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Learning Strategies2.3/5
Transferable skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Coordination2.9/5
- Persuasion2.8/5
- Negotiation2.8/5
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video conferencing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Paralegal?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realistic1.7
Investigativeprimary5.0
Artistic2.2
Social3.1
Enterprisingprimary3.9
Conventionalprimary5.3
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Paralegal: frequently asked questions
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn a median of $62,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 23% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $30.24/hr. The middle half earn between $50,340 and $80,080. The top 10% earn $101,500 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Paralegal?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Paralegals and Legal Assistants. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 36.9% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Paralegal a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.2% over 2024–2034 against 3.1% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 39,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Paralegal do?
Paralegals and legal assistants support lawyers by performing a variety of tasks, such as maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents. A core O*NET task: prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Paralegals and Legal Assistants the most?
The highest state medians for Paralegals and Legal Assistants are District of Columbia ($89,750), Washington ($79,400), Colorado ($78,190) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Paralegal?
O*NET scores Paralegals and Legal Assistants highest on the Conventional, Investigative and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ESTJ, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Paralegal?
2 years for an associate degree in paralegal studies. Certificate programs run from about four or five months to two years; baccalaureate degree programs in paralegal studies take four years. Length and admission requirements vary considerably from one institution to another.
Do you need a license to work as a Paralegal?
Not a state license. No state licenses paralegals as a condition of doing the work, and there is no mandatory certification examination for paralegals anywhere in the United States. California is the only state that regulates paralegals directly: California Business and Professions Code sections 6450 through 6456 require anyone using the titles 'paralegal', 'legal assistant' and the like to meet certain educational or experiential qualifications and to meet continuing education requirements. A small number of state supreme courts have separately created limited-scope practitioner licenses, which are a different role from the paralegal job and carry their own qualification and continuing-education rules. Everywhere else, entry is set by employers, who sometimes hire candidates with no legal experience or legal education and train them on the job.
What exams and certifications apply to a Paralegal?
The CP (Certified Paralegal Examination), the PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Examination), the PCCE (Paralegal CORE Competency Exam). Voluntary national certification examination on knowledge and skills used in the profession. NALA began sponsoring the exam in 1975 as the Certified Legal Assistant examination. Candidates must meet NALA's education and work-experience eligibility requirements to sit it.