According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals make an average of $50,940 a year. The position's pay can vary dramatically. The lowest 10% of paralegals earn less than $31,400, and the highest 10% earn more than $82,050. Most paralegals work full-time at 40 hours a week.
Many law firms have minimum billable hour requirements, somewhere between 1,800 and 2,200 hours per year for first-year associates, according to the National Law Review.
The training to become a lawyer requires much bigger commitments of both time and money than what it takes to become a paralegal. Most lawyers spend seven years in school (assuming it takes four years for an undergraduate degree and another three years of law school). Paralegals typically need an Associate's degree.
Training and Earnings for Paralegals
- Pro: Training. If the legal business calls to you, but years of law school and the bar exam don't, then being a paralegal may be a great alternative.
- Con: Salary.
- Pro: Less Debt.
- Con: Job Stability.
- Pro: More Job Opportunities.
- Pro: Freedom.
- Con: Juggling.
- Con: Time.
In most states, there are no specific education requirements to become a paralegal. Many community colleges, technical schools, and universities offer specific degree programs to prepare for this career, including certificates as well as associate's and bachelor's degrees in paralegal and legal studies.
Sundance College - Edmonton
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | Median |
|---|
| Starting | $18.46 | $27.66 |
| Overall | $22.46 | $35.21 |
| Top | $26.00 | $44.45 |
Paralegal Blog
- Punctuality & Attendance. Attorneys' expectations are often very simple - be present and on time.
- Communication Skills. Paralegals need to be good communicators, constantly developing both their written and verbal skills.
- Language Skills.
- Organizational Skills.
- Technology skills.
Paralegal. Being a paralegal isn't usually the first thing that comes to mind when you're asked to think about fun jobs, but there are aspects of the work that are perfectly suited to introverts. Paralegals spend much of their time examining the legal intricacies of a case and doing highly focused research.
Further, you may be required (depending on the state) to also take the Multistate Bar Exam, which covers common law. Your first-hand legal experience as a paralegal will certainly provide you with a distinct advantage when taking the bar exam.
Even with the economical downturn, the average paralegal salary still makes it an attractive career path for many who enjoy the legal field. The salary range may be as low as $13,000 a year for an untrained entry-level paralegal, up to six figures for a skilled paralegal acting in a managerial role.
Some of the top paying law firm paralegals jobs include those in:
- Municipal Law.
- Energy Law.
- Tax Law.
- Intellectual Property.
- Securities.
Paralegals in the labor field earned more in a corporate setting, with an annual salary of $67,100 compared to $47,289 in the law firm setting. Of these “crossover” specialties, paralegals in intellectual properties who worked in a law firm setting had the highest earnings at $67,300 annually.
It's wise to apply for Paralegal jobs in practice areas that directly relate to your studies. While you have no work experience, the presence of relevant practice areas on your CV will show recruiters and hiring managers that you have applicable knowledge and a verifiable interest in the sector.
Experienced paralegals can easily make between $50,000-$60,000 annually. It takes awhile to get there, but the salary is worth it. At my firm I've got three weeks of vacation each year and six personal/sick days. I take almost all of my vacation days every year.
Alternative Paralegal Career Options
- Legal Staffing Recruiter.
- Professional Development and Training Manager.
- Pro Bono Program Coordinator.
- Project Manager for legal support vendor.
- Legislative Affairs Director for a county government agency.
- Business Development/Sales for legal support vendor.
Paralegal Career - 5 Tips To Determine If Its Right For You
- You must love research.
- You must be organized.
- You must work well with limited supervision.
- You must work well under pressure.
- You must have good people skills.
Becoming a trained and experienced paralegal gives you great job prospects in several sectors, be it government agencies, real estate companies, or corporate law firms. The anticipated growth rate is almost double that of lawyers.” Paralegals can increase revenue for a law firm, putting them in high demand!
In May 2017, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average paralegal salary in Georgia of $53,130.
