Online Master of Legal Studies » Career Guides » How to Become a Paralegal » Paralegal Salary
How much does a paralegal make? Salary depends on a variety of factors, including which industry the paralegal works in and where they work. A paralegal’s experience and education can also influence salary. Regardless of hourly wage, many paralegals find the career rewarding because they get to work in a legal environment without having to go to law school. Learn more on how to become a paralegal.
Read this guide to learn about average paralegal salaries, types of paralegals with the highest salaries and the highest-paying locations for paralegals.
There are various types of paralegals, and some have higher earning potential than others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2019 median pay for paralegals and legal assistants was $51,740 per year. The highest 10% earned more than $82,000.
If you’re wondering which paralegals make the most money, the BLS provides a breakdown of the types of paralegals and their 2019 median annual wages.
Federal government paralegals work in law-related capacities for the federal government. For example, they may work on legal matters for organizations like the Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A.) or federal immigration offices. The BLS reports the 2019 median annual wage for federal government paralegals and legal assistants was $67,080.
Finance and insurance paralegals work with organizations in the finance and insurance industries. This may include auto, home and medical insurance providers, banks and money managers. The BLS reports the 2019 median annual wage for finance and insurance paralegals and legal assistants was $64,190.
Like federal government paralegals, local government paralegals work in government settings to help lawyers. They may work in a government affairs office or with special district, water and regulatory enforcement attorneys. Local government paralegals and legal assistants may earn an average of $51,030, according to the BLS. The BLS’ report of local government paralegals excludes education and hospitals.
Legal services paralegals help lawyers, such as car accident attorneys and workers compensation lawyers, who provide legal services to individuals and groups. Legal services paralegal and legal assistants earned an average of $49,630 for salary, according to the BLS.
State government paralegals work for state government offices and may assist lawyers like public defenders. The BLS reports the 2019 median annual wage for state government paralegals and legal assistants was $46,820. The BLS’ report of state government paralegals excludes education and hospitals.
The best paying locations for paralegals may have higher salaries for a number of reasons. Sometimes, the location has higher demand for paralegals. Other times, salaries correlate with cost of living expenses.
Here are some of the best paying cities and states for paralegals, according to the BLS’s Occupational Employment Statistics for paralegals and legal assistants.
| State | Paralegal Salary -2019 Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
District of Columbia | $82,010 |
Connecticut | $60,240 |
California | $61,810 |
Washington | $60,840 |
Massachusetts | $61,650 |
New York and Texas also pay paralegals well:
| Metropolitan Area | Paralegal Salary – 2019 Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $86,690 |
Napa, CA | $79,840 |
Trenton, NJ | $72,480 |
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $70,030 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $71,360 |
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $67,110 |
Hartford-West, Hartford-East, Hartford, CT | $59,710 |
Other metropolitan areas that pay paralegals well include:
Paralegal salaries vary depending on industry and location, but there may be things you can do to increase your earning potential.
A great way to strengthen your legal skills is through continued learning. One option is to take up reading legal books. Or take advantage of online legal resources that explain laws and feature legal news. Another way to strengthen your legal skills is to network with other professionals. Attend conferences and consider joining national or local legal associations. If there isn’t one in your area, consider starting your own paralegal networking group to connect with peers.
You can also leverage your network online. You can use LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on job opportunities and build relationships. Improve your profile by asking people you’ve worked with for LinkedIn recommendations. While you’re at it, consider writing recommendations for them too.
Certifications are a great way to continue learning and demonstrate your added value. Talk with your supervisor about certifications he or she recommends. Some employers may even pay for you to get certified or further your education. Look at professional organizations like the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and American Alliance of Paralegals to see what certifications are available.
If you have your bachelor’s degree, you might consider getting a master of legal studies. The BLS reports the 2019 median usual weekly earnings for those with a master’s degree was $249 more than those with a bachelor’s degree. Over the course of a year, that’s over $10,000. A master of legal studies degree can help you apply for a new job or advance within your current organization so you can increase your salary.
If you want to increase your paralegal salary, an MLS degree can help. Continuing your education can help you expand your legal knowledge and even specialize in an area that aligns with your career goals. Online Master of Legal Studies programs may enable you to learn and study on your own schedule. If you’re currently working as a paralegal or want to become a paralegal, a master’s degree can help fast-track your legal career.
Before you negotiate a higher salary with your employer, make sure you’ve done your research. Look into what professionals of similar experience and location make. When the time is right, be confident and present evidence of your accomplishments that make you worthy of a pay raise.
Paralegal salaries may vary depending on which industries and cities they work, but most importantly their work experience. All of these factors affect their salaries to varying degrees. Based on our analysis in this article, typically paralegals with more work experience and higher education make the most money.
The median pay of a paralegal was $24.87 per hour in 2019, equally $51,740 per year, according to BLS. However, locations and work experience also should be taken into account for salary comparison.
The answer to this question may depend on your interests and career goals. Paralegals may work closely with lawyers and other professionals providing legal services. They are not permitted to practice law, but their roles are crucial to the success of a case. With certain years’ of dedications in the field, paralegals could earn a reasonable salary.
Most paralegals have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies as a minimum. Higher education is preferred. However, there are only a few schools offering bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies. So if you are holding a degree in another field, you might consider a master of legal studies or certain paralegal certifications to advance your career.
Last updated: February 2021
