Are paralegals in high demand?
Asked by: Boris Turcotte | Last update: January 18, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (45 votes)
Demand for Paralegals by Region Overall, the best-paying states are D.C., California, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York, though of course paralegals are also in high demand in cities with lower costs of living.
Are paralegal jobs declining?
Job Outlook
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 1 percent from 2023 to 2033, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 37,300 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Is paralegal hard to find a job?
It is extremely competitive. But do not be disheartened, there are many who become legal assistants within a firm and get the opportunity to apply for paralegal roles within the company with a good chance of succeeding. But of course it depends on the firm too and how willing you are to show them you want to succeed.
Is becoming a paralegal worth it?
If you're looking for an opportunity to work in the exciting legal world, the paralegal profession may be the perfect career choice for you. Not only can it help you pay the bills, but it can challenge you intellectually and provide you with valuable professional experience to reach your long-term career goals.
What are the downsides of being a paralegal?
Limited Job Autonomy and Legal Knowledge
Paralegals work under the supervision of attorneys and have limited job autonomy. They cannot give legal advice or represent clients in court. They must follow the directions of their supervising attorneys and may have little control over their workload.
What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Paralegal
Why I quit being a paralegal?
Being a paralegal is stressful, and paralegal burnout is real. Paralegals work notoriously long hours, and their tasks include everything from office management to doing case research and preparing and editing legal contracts and documents. Paralegal's tasks have a direct impact on the outcomes of matters and cases.
Can you make a good living as a paralegal?
Overall, the best-paying states are D.C., California, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York, though of course paralegals are also in high demand in cities with lower costs of living.
Which type of paralegal makes the most money?
- Paralegal Manager. $104,775. ...
- Legal Project Manager. $87,375. ...
- Intellectual Property Paralegal. $86,800. ...
- Nurse Paralegal. $82,687. ...
- Employment and Labor Law Paralegal. $80,685. ...
- Government Paralegal. $78,478. ...
- Senior Paralegal. $69,995. ...
- Corporate Paralegal. $66,134.
Will AI replace paralegals?
AI may be better than paralegals in every area of technicality, but it lacks one critical factor — the human touch. “AI will not replace jobs, but it will change the nature of work.” Kai-Fu Lee. In short, “paralegal AI” is not going to take over.
Do paralegals make less than lawyers?
The national average salary for a paralegal is $55,060 per year . This position is often an entry-level role for those who aspire to become lawyers. The national average salary for a lawyer is $99,022 per year . For both paralegals and lawyers, their salaries can differ based on their location, employer and experience.
What is the average age of a paralegal?
More than 345,000 paralegals and legal assistants are employed in the United States, with a workforce that is 83% female and median age of 43.9 years.
Can I work as a paralegal with no experience?
NALA says you're ready for service as a paralegal if you have a bachelor's in any field and six months of in-house paralegal training; three or more years of in-house training under an attorney, including at least six months of paralegal training; or at least two years of in-house training as a paralegal.
Can you move up as a paralegal?
The skills you learn training for your paralegal career are transferable skills, and therefore, advancement opportunities and career development is a real possibility. Career advancement and development look different for each Paralegal. For you, advancement might occur within your current law office.
Why is it so hard to find a job as a paralegal?
Unfortunately, regardless of what role a paralegal plays within a law firm, most attorneys only want to hire paralegals who have previous experience in the work force. They remember law school – it was great for teaching them about the law but did very little about teaching them how to practice law.
How do paralegals get paid?
A Salary. Many paralegals are also salaried professionals and are paid a set amount regardless of how much time they spend working on cases over the course of a week. This is more common for seasoned paralegals who are full-time members at the law firms where they work.
What is one thing a paralegal Cannot do?
Paralegals cannot give legal advice, make decisions on behalf of clients, or represent clients in court as they are not licensed attorneys.
Which job will AI not replace?
- Tech jobs that can't be replaced by AI. Software engineers. ...
- Creative jobs that AI can't replace. Writer. ...
- Medical jobs that AI can't replace. Physical Therapists. ...
- The top jobs that AI can't replace: Person-to-person roles. Customer Service.
Why do paralegals quit?
One of the top reasons for paralegals leaving the field is the result of a toxic work environment. The field of law is a high-pressure environment that can quickly wear down a paralegal. Cases are frequently won or lost on a technicality, and a paralegal can unwittingly introduce an error that causes a loss.
What is the future of paralegals?
A Growing Profession: The paralegal profession is not only thriving but also evolving. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is among the top bands of professions expecting a 19 percent growth rate over the coming years.
What type of person makes a good paralegal?
- Highly organized (this is on 99% of the lists you'll find)
- Good communication skills (another popular “trait or characteristic” associated with paralegals)
- Excellent research and writing skills.
- Ability to multitask.
- Good computer skills.
- Pays close attention to detail.
- Works well independently.
What states pay paralegals the most?
Geographic area can also have a major impact on salary. According to the BLS, the states with the highest average annual salaries for paralegals in 2022 were Washington DC at $91,880, California at $76,080, Washington at $72,590, Massachusetts at $71,670, and New York at $69,860.
What are the cons of being a paralegal?
- Work Long Hours. While you may have a flexible schedule, you will still have to work long hours. ...
- A lot of Pressure. ...
- School is Required. ...
- Tedious Cases. ...
- Requires Consistent Learning. ...
- Not a lot of Acknowledgment. ...
- Plenty of Dull Tasks. ...
- Little Room for Advancement.
Is becoming a certified paralegal worth it?
Through completing your paralegal certificate, you will gain the confidence and the basic skills to start work in the legal industry. Below, you will find many of the benefits of becoming a paralegal. If you're wondering “Is a paralegal certificate worth earning?”, the answer is yes.
Is there a shortage of paralegals?
Current Job Market Outlook for Paralegals
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the paralegal and legal assistant professions will grow faster than average between 2022 and 2032 , expanding by 14%. Law firms will continue to be the largest employers of paralegals .