Legal Assistants and Paralegal Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Legal assistants and paralegals need to pass the Certified Legal Assistant certifying examination of the National Association of Legal Assistants. Graduation from an ABA approved program of study for legal assistant, or a baccalaureate degree in any field can also suffice. However, one must have more than six months of in-house training as a legal assistant, or a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney in order to become a legal assistant and paralegal.
Training and Education
Obtaining an associate degree will help job seekers. Legal assistants and paralegals with four or more years of college are 45% of the total. An estimated 43% of workers attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree. High school was enough education for 13% of employees.
Job Overview
Legal assistants and paralegals perform specifically delegated substantive legal work for a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or any other entity. Legal assistants and paralegals are responsible for conducting client interviews, maintaining general contact with the client, locating and interviewing witnesses and conducting both investigations and legal and documentary research. They also draft legal documents, deal with correspondence and pleadings and summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony. In addition, they assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services. However, a legal assistant and paralegal cannot officially offer legal advice to consumers of legal services, represent a client in court, set a fee or accept a case.
Job Requirements
The duties of legal assistants and paralegals working in the public sector depend largely on the agency. Generally, litigation paralegals analyze legal material for internal use, conduct research for attorneys, maintain reference files, collect and analyze evidence for agency hearings, prepare informative or explanatory material on laws, agency regulations, and agency policy. Paralegals employed in community legal-service projects help the poor, the elderly and others who are in need of legal assistance. They file forms, conduct research, prepare documents, and, when authorized by law, may represent clients at administrative hearings. A corporate paralegal may also assist attorneys with employee contracts, stock-option plans, shareholder agreements and employee benefit plans.
Nature of Work
When starting out as a legal assistant and paralegal, one may be asked to handle just routine assignments. However, with experience, legal assistants and paralegals usually perform more diverse tasks. They are given additional responsibility, and mostly work in offices and law libraries. They might also need to travel to gather information, or for other duties. They usually work a standard 40-hour week, but occasionally may be required to work longer. In particular, those who work for law firms might have to work longer hours in order to meet deadlines.
Area Job Conditions
Where are jobs most numerous? Charleston (West Virginia), Washington (District of Columbia), and New York (New York). Least common? Provo (Utah), Holland (Michigan), and Youngstown (Ohio).
Salaries vary across the country, from highest in San Jose (California), San Francisco (California), and New York (New York) to lowest in Iowa City (Iowa), Elkhart (Indiana), and Harrisonburg (Virginia).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Whether by choice or necessity, 11% of legal assistants and paralegals work part-time. About 2% of workers do not work for a company or organization.
Career Videos
Legal Assistants and Paralegals by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $50,000 | 1,110 | +11% |
| Dothan | $34,000 | 80 | -24% |
| Gadsden | $41,000 | 60 | +0% |
| Huntsville | $39,000 | 240 | -42% |
| Mobile | $49,000 | 220 | -36% |
| Montgomery | $43,000 | 310 | -3% |
| Tuscaloosa | $36,000 | 50 | -71% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $50,000 | 500 | +53% |
| Fairbanks | $49,000 | 60 | +9% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $40,000 | 80 | -21% |
| Kingman | 80 | -5% | |
| Phoenix | $49,000 | 4,020 | +11% |
| Prescott | $37,000 | 70 | -28% |
| Tucson | $44,000 | 580 | -16% |
| Yuma | $44,000 | 40 | -60% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $32,000 | 480 | +19% |
| Fort Smith | $34,000 | 170 | -28% |
| Little Rock | $40,000 | 820 | +18% |
| Pine Bluff | $31,000 | 50 | -3% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $56,000 | 210 | -60% |
| Chico | $36,000 | 110 | -14% |
| El Centro | $41,000 | 40 | -55% |
| Fresno | $56,000 | 500 | -22% |
| Los Angeles | $61,000 | 7,790 | -6% |
| Modesto | $47,000 | 160 | -47% |
| Napa | $62,000 | 70 | -39% |
| Oakland | $60,000 | 1,920 | -6% |
| Oxnard | $53,000 | 370 | -38% |
| Redding | $51,000 | 70 | -36% |
| Riverside | $62,000 | 770 | -69% |
| Sacramento | $52,000 | 1,920 | +8% |
| Salinas | $59,000 | 100 | -68% |
| San Diego | $58,000 | 3,020 | +13% |
| San Francisco | $67,000 | 3,460 | +70% |
| San Jose | $65,000 | 2,250 | +23% |
| Santa Ana | $59,000 | 3,180 | +7% |
| Santa Barbara | $53,000 | 240 | -27% |
| Santa Cruz | $54,000 | 140 | -14% |
| Santa Rosa | $48,000 | 170 | -50% |
| Stockton | $51,000 | 180 | -57% |
| Vallejo | $56,000 | 110 | -52% |
| Visalia | $46,000 | 50 | -81% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $48,000 | 220 | -26% |
| Colorado Springs | $44,000 | 490 | -3% |
| Denver | $50,000 | 3,730 | +46% |
| Fort Collins | $43,000 | 160 | -34% |
| Greeley | $45,000 | 110 | -18% |
| Pueblo | $36,000 | 70 | -32% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $52,000 | 1,200 | +39% |
| Danbury | $53,000 | 80 | -36% |
| Hartford | $53,000 | 2,030 | +73% |
| New Haven | $49,000 | 700 | +28% |
| Norwich | $42,000 | 250 | +6% |
| Waterbury | $50,000 | 210 | +69% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $38,000 | 120 | +30% |
| Wilmington | $53,000 | 1,060 | +62% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $64,000 | 9,840 | +97% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $43,000 | 530 | +39% |
| Deltona | $37,000 | 210 | -30% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $45,000 | 3,080 | +116% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $36,000 | 190 | +34% |
| Jacksonville | $41,000 | 1,360 | +11% |
| Lakeland | $36,000 | 380 | +2% |
| Miami | $52,000 | 3,640 | +81% |
| Naples | $46,000 | 170 | -21% |
| Ocala | $37,000 | 280 | +70% |
| Orlando | $48,000 | 2,040 | -2% |
| Palm Bay | $41,000 | 330 | -15% |
| Panama City | $39,000 | 140 | +11% |
| Pensacola | $40,000 | 390 | +35% |
| Port St Lucie | $43,000 | 280 | +22% |
| Punta Gorda | $35,000 | 40 | -41% |
| Sarasota | $39,000 | 690 | +41% |
| Sebastian | $49,000 | 110 | +31% |
| Tallahassee | $40,000 | 660 | +109% |
| Tampa | $49,000 | 2,790 | +19% |
| West Palm Beach | $51,000 | 1,850 | +76% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $40,000 | 60 | -47% |
| Atlanta | $50,000 | 6,130 | +29% |
| Augusta | $44,000 | 240 | -41% |
| Brunswick | $49,000 | 40 | -44% |
| Columbus | $51,000 | 200 | -5% |
| Dalton | $44,000 | 30 | -76% |
| Gainesville | $40,000 | 100 | -22% |
| Macon | $37,000 | 180 | +6% |
| Rome | $44,000 | 40 | -34% |
| Savannah | $53,000 | 110 | -62% |
| Warner Robins | $50,000 | 30 | -69% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $52,000 | 700 | -21% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $43,000 | 520 | 0% |
| Pocatello | $34,000 | 70 | +37% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $48,000 | 90 | -31% |
| Champaign | $32,000 | 150 | -23% |
| Chicago | $54,000 | 7,510 | -3% |
| Peoria | $51,000 | 190 | -43% |
| Rockford | $54,000 | 70 | -74% |
| Springfield | $54,000 | 130 | -37% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $36,000 | 50 | -24% |
| Elkhart | $28,000 | 160 | -22% |
| Evansville | $34,000 | 240 | -29% |
| Fort Wayne | $39,000 | 290 | -28% |
| Gary | $32,000 | 380 | -29% |
| Indianapolis | $46,000 | 1,690 | -8% |
| Muncie | $37,000 | 40 | -50% |
| South Bend | $37,000 | 130 | -48% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $43,000 | 190 | -30% |
| Davenport | $44,000 | 270 | -27% |
| Des Moines | $49,000 | 490 | -26% |
| Dubuque | $41,000 | 40 | -58% |
| Iowa City | $37,000 | 70 | -46% |
| Sioux City | $38,000 | 100 | -26% |
| Waterloo | $37,000 | 60 | -63% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $40,000 | 40 | -48% |
| Topeka | $39,000 | 210 | 0% |
| Wichita | $42,000 | 310 | -46% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | $42,000 | 60 | -23% |
| Lexington | $42,000 | 340 | -29% |
| Louisville | $43,000 | 1,410 | +14% |
| Owensboro | $33,000 | 80 | -5% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $52,000 | 50 | -57% |
| Baton Rouge | $37,000 | 420 | -44% |
| Lafayette | $41,000 | 250 | -10% |
| Lake Charles | $38,000 | 120 | -28% |
| New Orleans | $47,000 | 2,210 | +105% |
| Shreveport | $47,000 | 290 | -18% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $44,000 | 140 | +25% |
| Lewiston | $40,000 | 110 | +22% |
| Portland | $48,000 | 500 | +26% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $51,000 | 3,720 | +38% |
| Bethesda | $51,000 | 1,400 | +19% |
| Hagerstown | $47,000 | 210 | +14% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $51,000 | 4,700 | +32% |
| Brockton | $42,000 | 130 | -23% |
| Framingham | $54,000 | 170 | -47% |
| Haverhill | $40,000 | 70 | -54% |
| Lawrence | $41,000 | 180 | +66% |
| Leominster | $38,000 | 50 | -43% |
| Lowell | $55,000 | 150 | -35% |
| Pittsfield | $41,000 | 50 | -10% |
| Springfield | $48,000 | 440 | -26% |
| Taunton | $47,000 | 70 | -12% |
| Worcester | $59,000 | 190 | -62% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $50,000 | 1,180 | -14% |
| Flint | $59,000 | 80 | -68% |
| Grand Rapids | $55,000 | 640 | -16% |
| Holland | $41,000 | 60 | -67% |
| Kalamazoo | $49,000 | 90 | -66% |
| Lansing | $45,000 | 150 | -62% |
| Niles | $44,000 | 40 | -62% |
| Saginaw | $38,000 | 90 | -41% |
| Warren | $51,000 | 2,040 | -8% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $42,000 | 100 | -60% |
| Mankato | $37,000 | 60 | -41% |
| Minneapolis | $54,000 | 3,110 | -15% |
| Rochester | $45,000 | 120 | -39% |
| St Cloud | $41,000 | 130 | -28% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $37,000 | 200 | -3% |
| Hattiesburg | $39,000 | 90 | -13% |
| Jackson | $40,000 | 1,140 | +125% |
| Pascagoula | $37,000 | 50 | -39% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $37,000 | 60 | -60% |
| Jefferson City | $42,000 | 100 | -27% |
| Joplin | $35,000 | 90 | -39% |
| Kansas City | $50,000 | 2,420 | +16% |
| Springfield | $44,000 | 380 | +1% |
| St Joseph | $41,000 | 100 | +10% |
| St Louis | $44,000 | 2,200 | -20% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $40,000 | 190 | +20% |
| Missoula | $41,000 | 110 | +17% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $43,000 | 170 | -46% |
| Omaha | $43,000 | 740 | -23% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | $47,000 | 50 | +15% |
| Las Vegas | $51,000 | 1,190 | -31% |
| Reno | $57,000 | 110 | -71% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $45,000 | 280 | +42% |
| Portsmouth | $48,000 | 100 | -4% |
| Rochester | $41,000 | 50 | -48% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $44,000 | 220 | -22% |
| Camden | $50,000 | 750 | -30% |
| Edison | $51,000 | 1,250 | -41% |
| Newark | $52,000 | 2,410 | +18% |
| Trenton | $59,000 | 580 | +28% |
| Vineland | $41,000 | 100 | -9% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $39,000 | 940 | +20% |
| Farmington | $39,000 | 30 | -66% |
| Las Cruces | $36,000 | 90 | -23% |
| Santa Fe | $46,000 | 140 | +23% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $46,000 | 740 | -19% |
| Binghamton | $36,000 | 90 | -58% |
| Buffalo | $47,000 | 1,240 | +10% |
| Elmira | $45,000 | 40 | -40% |
| Glens Falls | $43,000 | 30 | -68% |
| Ithaca | $45,000 | 60 | -16% |
| Nassau | $55,000 | 2,070 | -20% |
| New York | $61,000 | 17,370 | +62% |
| Poughkeepsie | $56,000 | 290 | -41% |
| Rochester | $37,000 | 1,200 | +17% |
| Syracuse | $46,000 | 450 | -29% |
| Utica | $42,000 | 170 | -29% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $37,000 | 450 | +29% |
| Burlington | $40,000 | 60 | -42% |
| Charlotte | $45,000 | 1,990 | +14% |
| Durham | $42,000 | 660 | +19% |
| Fayetteville | $37,000 | 210 | -14% |
| Goldsboro | $29,000 | 70 | -1% |
| Greensboro | $40,000 | 650 | -10% |
| Greenville | $33,000 | 190 | +53% |
| Hickory | $36,000 | 270 | -6% |
| Jacksonville | $33,000 | 80 | +7% |
| Raleigh | $52,000 | 1,800 | +71% |
| Rocky Mount | $31,000 | 80 | -24% |
| Wilmington | $36,000 | 360 | +36% |
| Winston Salem | $38,000 | 960 | +129% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $46,000 | 60 | -50% |
| Fargo | $49,000 | 90 | -62% |
| Grand Forks | $39,000 | 60 | -30% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $44,000 | 420 | -35% |
| Canton | $41,000 | 170 | -48% |
| Cincinnati | $48,000 | 1,220 | -41% |
| Cleveland | $49,000 | 1,750 | -17% |
| Columbus | $43,000 | 1,290 | -32% |
| Dayton | $46,000 | 470 | -39% |
| Mansfield | $34,000 | 30 | -68% |
| Toledo | $43,000 | 390 | -34% |
| Youngstown | $35,000 | 200 | -56% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $46,000 | 990 | -16% |
| Tulsa | $42,000 | 750 | -14% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $44,000 | 50 | -57% |
| Corvallis | $41,000 | 50 | +11% |
| Eugene | $46,000 | 130 | -52% |
| Portland | $54,000 | 1,640 | -22% |
| Salem | $40,000 | 310 | +6% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $46,000 | 270 | -61% |
| Erie | $40,000 | 120 | -52% |
| Harrisburg | $47,000 | 720 | +12% |
| Lancaster | $38,000 | 200 | -57% |
| Philadelphia | $55,000 | 4,530 | +16% |
| Pittsburgh | $48,000 | 1,640 | -30% |
| Reading | $45,000 | 160 | -51% |
| Scranton | $43,000 | 270 | -48% |
| Williamsport | $39,000 | 60 | -35% |
| York | $44,000 | 150 | -57% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $50,000 | 730 | -36% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $37,000 | 70 | -31% |
| Charleston | $46,000 | 680 | +18% |
| Columbia | $49,000 | 1,170 | +65% |
| Florence | $34,000 | 180 | +22% |
| Greenville | $39,000 | 500 | -17% |
| Myrtle Beach | $36,000 | 280 | +34% |
| Spartanburg | $36,000 | 140 | -37% |
| Sumter | $34,000 | 50 | -10% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $36,000 | 60 | -49% |
| Sioux Falls | $37,000 | 210 | -22% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $46,000 | 310 | -32% |
| Clarksville | $37,000 | 80 | -45% |
| Jackson | $32,000 | 180 | +68% |
| Kingsport | $45,000 | 140 | -40% |
| Knoxville | $39,000 | 760 | +13% |
| Memphis | $38,000 | 840 | -33% |
| Nashville | $42,000 | 1,200 | -21% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $44,000 | 50 | -57% |
| Amarillo | $46,000 | 190 | -7% |
| Austin | $47,000 | 1,480 | -8% |
| Beaumont | $44,000 | 310 | -2% |
| College Station | $41,000 | 130 | -25% |
| Corpus Christi | $42,000 | 300 | -15% |
| Dallas | $53,000 | 4,200 | -3% |
| El Paso | $33,000 | 430 | -21% |
| Fort Worth | $48,000 | 840 | -53% |
| Houston | $49,000 | 5,720 | +6% |
| Killeen | $39,000 | 170 | -32% |
| Longview | $41,000 | 140 | -23% |
| Lubbock | $46,000 | 190 | -22% |
| Mcallen | $39,000 | 230 | -50% |
| Midland | $36,000 | 140 | +21% |
| San Angelo | $38,000 | 60 | -17% |
| San Antonio | $46,000 | 1,650 | -8% |
| Sherman | $36,000 | 100 | +38% |
| Tyler | $41,000 | 160 | -6% |
| Victoria | $37,000 | 40 | -53% |
| Waco | $44,000 | 80 | -58% |
| Wichita Falls | $38,000 | 30 | -70% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $34,000 | 270 | -32% |
| Provo | $41,000 | 270 | -19% |
| Salt Lake City | $42,000 | 1,160 | -7% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $43,000 | 310 | +45% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $40,000 | 40 | -64% |
| Charlottesville | $44,000 | 210 | +29% |
| Danville | $33,000 | 50 | -16% |
| Harrisonburg | $34,000 | 80 | -21% |
| Lynchburg | $36,000 | 130 | -31% |
| Richmond | $45,000 | 1,170 | -7% |
| Roanoke | $41,000 | 280 | -8% |
| Virginia Beach | $42,000 | 1,610 | +4% |
| Winchester | $29,000 | 70 | -21% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $40,000 | 190 | +39% |
| Bremerton | $43,000 | 140 | -10% |
| Kennewick | $44,000 | 50 | -74% |
| Mount Vernon | $43,000 | 70 | -10% |
| Olympia | $50,000 | 180 | -4% |
| Seattle | $53,000 | 3,810 | +32% |
| Spokane | $43,000 | 420 | +3% |
| Tacoma | $49,000 | 620 | +17% |
| Wenatchee | $48,000 | 50 | -26% |
| Yakima | $42,000 | 130 | -17% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $39,000 | 720 | +154% |
| Huntington | $39,000 | 230 | +5% |
| Morgantown | $35,000 | 170 | +77% |
| Parkersburg | $37,000 | 230 | +83% |
| Wheeling | $38,000 | 100 | -16% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $33,000 | 230 | +4% |
| Green Bay | $38,000 | 280 | -15% |
| La Crosse | $37,000 | 50 | -62% |
| Madison | $48,000 | 330 | -52% |
| Milwaukee | $48,000 | 1,710 | +0% |
| Oshkosh | $33,000 | 90 | -46% |
| Wausau | $35,000 | 150 | +23% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $37,000 | 90 | +43% |
| Cheyenne | $40,000 | 180 | +142% |