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Paralegal: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$62,890median pay per year, or $30.24 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $44,740lowest 10% earn less
  2. $50,34025th percentile
  3. $62,890median
  4. $80,08075th percentile
  5. $101,500top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[6]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

A paralegal earned a median of $62,890 a year in May 2025, above the median for all US jobs[1][2]. The usual way in is an associate's degree, but BLS expects the number of jobs to stay about flat through 2035 as technology, including AI, takes over some research and drafting[3][4][5].

Job growth, 2025–35
-0.3%[4]
Openings per year
40,800[7]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[3]

How much do paralegals make?

The median wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $62,890 a year, or $30.24 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more than that and half earned less[1]. For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[2].

The average (mean) wage was higher, at $69,700 a year or $33.51 an hour[8].

Pay spreads widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $44,740 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $101,500[6]. These percentiles are boundaries in the pay scale, not a starting salary, which BLS does not publish[9].

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th[6][10] $44,740 $21.51
25th[6][10] $50,340 $24.20
50th (median)[1] $62,890 $30.24
75th[6][10] $80,080 $38.50
90th[6][10] $101,500 $48.80

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary, full time and part time. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions[11]. About 392,880 people held these jobs in May 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median wage for paralegals, at $89,750[13]. Next came Washington ($79,400), Colorado ($78,190), Massachusetts ($77,640) and California ($77,390)[13]. At the bottom of the list, Mississippi's median was $46,180[13].

Among metros with 100 or more jobs, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area paid the highest median, $99,250[14]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($92,900) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($84,030) followed[14].

California had the most jobs, 47,130, then Florida (40,950), New York (34,220), Texas (29,540) and Pennsylvania (14,670)[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro alone had 33,850 jobs, with a median of $75,330[16]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim came second with 22,240 jobs and a $77,520 median[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[13]$89,7506,400
Washington$79,4009,460
Colorado$78,1905,620
Massachusetts$77,6407,800
California$77,39047,130
Minnesota$75,5707,400
New Jersey$71,50012,010
Alaska$68,700570
New York$68,41034,220
Vermont$67,160660
Maryland$65,6406,460
Nevada$64,6803,620
Virginia$63,99010,250
Connecticut$63,8205,210
Illinois$63,67014,130
Pennsylvania$63,37014,670
Nebraska$63,2501,630
Utah$63,2203,250
Delaware$63,1102,480
Hawaii$62,8401,170
Maine$62,4201,210
Georgia$62,40014,160
Texas$62,31029,540
Michigan$62,1707,730
New Hampshire$62,0401,430
Arizona$61,6307,890
Oregon$61,4904,870
Missouri$61,4107,130
Florida$61,00040,950
Ohio$60,4209,270
Louisiana$60,2504,890
New Mexico$59,8401,740
Kentucky$59,8303,540
North Dakota$59,430730
West Virginia$59,0001,660
Tennessee$58,8206,080
Wisconsin$58,5004,780
South Dakota$58,320600
North Carolina$57,50013,650
Montana$57,2901,010
Indiana$57,0305,910
Rhode Island$56,2502,070
Kansas$55,0002,210
Iowa$54,5502,980
South Carolina$53,8807,420
Oklahoma$53,1703,110
Idaho$49,6902,030
Wyoming$49,490600
Arkansas$47,4201,610
Alabama$47,2605,700
Mississippi$46,1802,270

How to become a paralegal

BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience or on-the-job training needed[3]. In practice there are several routes in[17].

1) Earn an associate's degree or a certificate in paralegal studies, a common route into the field[18][17]. 2) Or earn a bachelor's degree, which some employers prefer or require, often in a field such as business or social science plus a paralegal certificate[19]. 3) Expect coursework in legal research, legal writing and the basics of the legal system, plus areas such as criminal, family or contract law, in programs that professional groups typically accredit[20]. 4) Without a degree, look for employers who consider high school graduates with experience[18] or who train people with no legal background on the job[21]. 5) Consider certification, which is optional but preferred or required by some employers[22]. It typically means passing an exam, meeting education and experience rules to qualify, and doing continuing education to keep it[22].

O*NET places the job in Job Zone Three, meaning a medium amount of preparation[23].

Workers' own views of the needed education vary. In an O*NET survey of 24 workers, 37% said a bachelor's degree is required, 20% said an associate's degree and 19% said a high school diploma[24]. The sample is small, so treat these shares as a rough signal.

BLS highlights five qualities for the job: clear communication with attorneys, attention to detail, people skills, organization across several cases and deadlines, and research ability[25][26][27][28][29].

What paralegals do

Paralegals support lawyers. They dig into the facts of a case, draft legal paperwork and research past rulings to help with lawsuits and defenses[30]. Common tasks include[31]:

Job titles vary. Workers report titles such as Litigation Paralegal, Immigration Paralegal, Legal Assistant and Legal Analyst[32].

Where they work

The legal services industry was the largest employer, with 75% of paralegals and legal assistants in 2025[33]. A small share, 2.1%, were self-employed[34].

The work is mainly office based, and paralegals often work in teams alongside attorneys and other legal staff[35][36]. Now and then they travel, for example with an attorney to a deposition or trial[36]. The pace can be fast, with several projects and tight deadlines at once, which can make the job stressful[37]. BLS says most paralegals and legal assistants work full time[38].

Job outlook

BLS projects paralegal jobs to dip 0.3% between 2025 and 2035, going from about 404,900 to 403,800[4]. Across all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth over the same years[39].

The factor BLS points to is technology. Research and document preparation are increasingly automated, including with AI, so fewer workers are needed for that work[5].

Even so, openings will keep coming. BLS expects about 40,800 openings a year on average[7]. These include jobs that open up when workers retire or move into other lines of work, not only new positions[7]. Each year, about 3% of workers leave the labor force and 7.1% move to another occupation[40].

The projection counts include self-employed workers[4]. The May 2025 count of 392,880 jobs does not[12].

Is it a good fit?

The job pays a median of $62,890, above the all-jobs median of $50,980[1][2], and the typical entry path is an associate's degree rather than a four-year degree[3]. Pay is higher in places like DC, Washington and Colorado[13]. The tradeoff is outlook: jobs are projected to dip slightly while all jobs grow 3.5%[4][39], and automation of research and drafting is the reason BLS gives[5]. Still, about 40,800 openings a year are expected, including jobs left by workers who retire or change fields[7]. It may suit someone who is organized and detail minded and who can handle tight deadlines[26][28][37].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[41].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a paralegal make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $30.24 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $21.51 an hour and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $48.80[10].
What degree do you need to be a paralegal?
BLS lists an associate's degree as typical for entry[3]. An associate's degree or certificate in paralegal studies is common, some employers prefer a bachelor's degree, and some consider high school graduates with experience[18][19].
Do paralegals need to be certified?
No, certification is not required, but some employers prefer or require it. It typically involves an exam and continuing education[22].
Are paralegals in demand?
BLS projects employment to decline 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, while all jobs grow 3.5%[4][39]. About 40,800 openings a year are still expected, counting jobs left by workers who retire or change occupations[7].
What is the highest paying state for paralegals?
The District of Columbia had the highest median, $89,750, followed by Washington at $79,400[13]. Among metros, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA led at $99,250[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the US was $62,890 per year and $30.24 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Paralegals and Legal Assistants: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Paralegals and Legal Assistants is projected to decline 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 404,900 to 403,800 jobs (a change of -1,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Productivity change - share decreases as tasks such as conducting research and preparing documents are increasingly automated via technology including artificial intelligence (AI), reducing the need for these workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 10th percentile $44,740, 25th percentile $50,340, 75th percentile $80,080, 90th percentile $101,500. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 40,800 openings for Paralegals and Legal Assistants are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants was $69,700 per year and $33.51 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 10th percentile $21.51, 25th percentile $24.20, 75th percentile $38.50, 90th percentile $48.80. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 392,880 people were employed as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $99,250; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $92,900; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $84,030; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $81,590; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $80,930; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $80,500; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $79,850; Vallejo, CA $79,280. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs: California 47,130; Florida 40,950; New York 34,220; Texas 29,540; Pennsylvania 14,670. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 33,850 (median $75,330); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 22,240 (median $77,520); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 17,820 (median $62,090); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 12,990 (median $81,590); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 11,590 (median $70,550); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 11,150 (median $70,430). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 23-2011.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 23-2011.00 survey of workers (24 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 37%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 20%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 19%, Doctoral Degree 10%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. O*NET description of Paralegals and Legal Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET task list for Paralegals and Legal Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  32. O*NET 23-2011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Immigration Paralegal, Law Associate, Legal Analyst, Legal Assistant, Legal Clerk, Legal Processing Assistant, Litigation Paralegal, Paralegal. O*NET OnLine
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of paralegals and legal assistants in 2025: Legal services 75%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: 2.1% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  39. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  40. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  41. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.