Paralegals and legal assistants

SOC Code: 23-2011
Also known as:
Certified Paralegal, Contract Preparer, Contracts Specialist, Corporate Legal Assistant, Corporate Paralegal
Median Annual Salary
$61,010
+0.2% growth (2024-2034)
39K
Openings/Year
376K
Current Jobs

What Paralegals and legal assistants 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.

💰 Salary

$61,010
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+0.2%
Little or no change

🎓 Education

Associate's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

39K
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

376,200

Projected Employment (2034)

376,800

Related Careers

Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers

$54,980 • +2.0% growth
View →

Court reporters and simultaneous captioners

$67,310 • -0.3% growth
View →

Court, municipal, and license clerks

$47,700 • +3.0% growth
View →

Legal secretaries and administrative assistants

$54,140 • -5.8% growth
View →

Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive

$46,290 • -1.6% growth
View →

Top Skills Required

Writing
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
  • Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
  • Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.

Technology & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Google Docs Google Workspace software Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project

📚 Entry-Level Education

Associate's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Paralegals and legal assistants

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a paralegals and legal assistants:

Legal Assistant/Paralegal

9,493 degrees awarded • 473 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Legal Studies

4,068 degrees awarded • 175 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Best Colleges for Becoming a Paralegals and legal assistants

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become paralegals and legal assistants.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA 205 A
2 University of Georgia Athens, GA 194 A
3 United States Military Academy West Point, NY 57 A
4 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN 41 A
5 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 190 B+
6 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 137 B+
7 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA 123 B+
8 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA 111 B+
9 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL 66 B+
10 Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ 143 B
11 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 141 B
12 University of San Diego San Diego, CA 121 B
13 University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA 114 B
14 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY 104 B
15 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 85 B
16 Auburn University Auburn, AL 66 B
17 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 56 B
18 Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 47 B
19 University of West Florida Pensacola, FL 45 B
20 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY 45 B

Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do paralegals and legal assistants make?
The median annual salary for paralegals and legal assistants is $61,010.
What education do paralegals and legal assistants need?
Most paralegals and legal assistants positions require a associate's degree. Common degree programs include Legal Assistant/Paralegal, Legal Studies.
Is becoming paralegals and legal assistants a good career choice?
Paralegals and legal assistants is projected to see +0.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 39,300 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for paralegals and legal assistants?
Top colleges for aspiring paralegals and legal assistants include University of California-Berkeley, University of Georgia, United States Military Academy, Vanderbilt University, University of Central Florida. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to paralegals and legal assistants?
Paralegals and legal assistants may also be known as: Certified Paralegal, Contract Preparer, Contracts Specialist, Corporate Legal Assistant, Corporate Paralegal, Document Processor, Family Law Paralegal, Immigration Paralegal, Intellectual Property Paralegal, Law Associate, Legal Aide, Legal Analyst, Legal Assistant, Legal Clerk, Legal Processing Assistant, Litigation Legal Assistant, Litigation Paralegal, Paralegal, Paralegal Assistant, Paralegal Specialist. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.