What is a paralegal salary in the US?
Asked by: Mrs. Camylle Ondricka Jr. | Last update: February 10, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (28 votes)
A paralegal's salary in the U.S. varies significantly, but generally falls between $48,000 to $78,000, with the median around $61,000 annually, depending heavily on experience, location, and specialization, with top earners exceeding $90,000 and entry-level roles starting lower, per data from the BLS, ZipRecruiter, and other sources for late 2025/early 2026.
What is the highest paid type of paralegal?
The highest-paying paralegal jobs are in specialized fields like Intellectual Property, Corporate Law, Securities, and Health Law (Nurse Paralegal), often in large firms or major cities (DC, NYC, SF). Roles like Paralegal Manager, Legal Project Manager, and those requiring specific certifications (like for IP or Nurse Paralegals) command the highest salaries, sometimes exceeding $100,000+ annually, especially with experience in complex litigation or transactional work.
Can paralegals make $100,000?
Yes, experienced senior paralegals in specialized fields, large firms, or major markets can absolutely earn $100,000 or more, especially in roles like Paralegal Managers or specialized areas like Intellectual Property, with factors like experience, location (e.g., NYC, Silicon Valley), and employer size being key determinants. While the median salary is lower, achieving a six-figure income is realistic through strategic career moves like gaining certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, and working in lucrative markets or large corporations.
Do you need a degree to be a paralegal?
No, a degree isn't always required to be a paralegal, but it significantly boosts your opportunities, with many employers preferring or requiring at least an associate degree or a paralegal certificate, especially in competitive markets. While some firms offer on-the-job training, formal education, often from an American Bar Association-approved (ABA) program, provides essential skills, with bachelor's degrees and professional certifications (like NALA or NFPA) giving you a strong competitive edge.
Do paralegals make as much as lawyers?
In general, yes, paralegals make less money than lawyers in both big law firms and small firms.
Paralegal Salary / Can Paralegals Make Six Figures?
Do paralegals usually go to law school?
“The common standard as of today is that paralegals have either a certificate or an associate degree in paralegal studies as their education requirement before becoming a paralegal,” Burns wrote.
How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?
To earn $500,000 a year as a lawyer, you need a strategic combination of specializing in high-paying fields (like corporate, IP, or plaintiff-side personal injury/class action), mastering business development through robust lead generation (SEO, PPC, referrals), and potentially moving into leadership roles like Big Law equity partner or becoming a renowned expert/mediator in a niche, leveraging strong marketing and scalable firm operations rather than just billable hours.
What disqualifies you from becoming a paralegal?
What disqualifies you from being a paralegal generally involves a felony conviction, especially for crimes involving dishonesty, fraud, or breach of trust, as this impacts handling sensitive client information and funds, but some states and firms may allow it depending on the nature of the crime, time passed, and rehabilitation, while a disbarred attorney also faces significant hurdles. Ethical violations and a pattern of untrustworthiness are key disqualifiers, though some employers might look past a criminal record if you demonstrate responsibility and a unique perspective.
How long does it take to get a paralegal license?
A paralegal certificate typically takes 4 months to a year, depending on whether you study full-time or part-time, but can range from a few months for accelerated online programs to over a year for part-time/self-paced options, with many programs offering flexibility for working professionals. Some intensive, live online courses finish in 4-6 months, while others spread out over 9-12 months or longer with part-time study.
What is the difference between a legal assistant and paralegal?
The main difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant (often a legal secretary) lies in their responsibilities, education, and billability: Paralegals perform substantive legal work like research and drafting, requiring specialized training, while Legal Assistants handle administrative/clerical tasks (scheduling, filing, phones) with more general skills, acting like an office manager with legal exposure, though roles can blur in smaller firms. Paralegals are often billable to clients, leading to higher pay and clearer career paths in legal practice, whereas legal assistants support the team more broadly.
Is it hard to get hired as a paralegal?
Yes, getting an entry-level paralegal job can be hard due to high application volumes and competition from experienced candidates, but it's definitely achievable with the right strategy, focusing on networking, internships, certifications, transferable skills (like organization and client management from other jobs), and applying broadly to roles like legal assistant or file clerk to get a "foot in the door". While many firms prefer experience, a strong application with practical experience (even non-legal) and targeted skills can overcome this hurdle.
Are paralegals being replaced by AI?
The Bottom Line. Paralegals aren't going anywhere. The legal profession needs their expertise, judgment, and human touch now more than ever. While AI will certainly change how they work, making some tasks faster and potentially eliminating others, the value of paralegals is fundamentally human.
How much should a paralegal charge per hour?
A paralegal's hourly rate typically ranges from $40 to over $200, depending heavily on location, specialization (e.g., litigation, family law, corporate), experience, and whether they are a W-2 employee or a freelance contractor, with averages often cited around $134-$150/hour for billable work, while entry-level support might be $40-$60 and specialized roles can go higher, notes this Rev article, this LawPay article, this Regents article, and this Reddit thread.
Is paralegal high in demand?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a robust 14% growth rate from 2021 to 2031—much faster than average—with around 38,000 job openings annually over the next decade. This growth reflects the legal industry's increasing reliance on skilled paralegals to maintain efficiency and manage costs.
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.
Is it better to be a paralegal or a lawyer?
Paralegals and lawyers are great career options
You may become a paralegal faster and require less education, but you may not be able to earn as much as a lawyer—and you cannot practice law. Alternatively, attorneys can practice law and are compensated well financially for their work.
Is paralegal schooling hard?
Paralegal school is moderately challenging, requiring strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with core courses like legal research, writing, and civil litigation often cited as the toughest due to detailed procedures and complex case analysis, but success hinges on detail orientation, time management, and the ability to learn on the job, making it demanding but manageable with dedication, especially with supportive environments and study groups.
Do paralegals go to court?
While paralegals may not represent clients in court or provide legal advice, they often play a vital role in trial preparation and courtroom support. During trials, paralegals might assist attorneys by organizing exhibits, managing trial notebooks, and ensuring all necessary documents are readily available.
What degree is best for a paralegal?
The best degrees for a paralegal include an Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies for a common entry point or a Bachelor's Degree (in Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, or related fields like Business/History) for better advancement, often followed by a paralegal certificate for specialized skills, with the specific choice depending on career goals and employer preference. A bachelor's provides broader skills and a backup plan, while an associate's offers focused, quicker training.
Can paralegals make $100,000?
Yes, experienced senior paralegals in specialized fields, large firms, or major markets can absolutely earn $100,000 or more, especially in roles like Paralegal Managers or specialized areas like Intellectual Property, with factors like experience, location (e.g., NYC, Silicon Valley), and employer size being key determinants. While the median salary is lower, achieving a six-figure income is realistic through strategic career moves like gaining certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, and working in lucrative markets or large corporations.
What are the downsides of being a paralegal?
Long hours and high stress
Paralegals may work long hours, including evenings or weekends, to meet the demands of the law firm and the frequent tight deadlines associated with ongoing cases. Additionally, they may be exposed to graphic images or heartbreaking stories, which can be emotionally taxing.
Do paralegals have to go through law school?
Employers may prefer or require candidates to have an associate or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or in related fields such as criminal justice or legal studies. While employers may not require graduation from an ABA approved program, some may view such approval favorably.
What profession has the most millionaires?
THE TOP 5 CAREERS OF MILLIONAIRES: - Engineer - Accountant (CPA) - Teacher - Management - Attorney Some of those are surprising, huh?
How can I make $2000 a month on the side?
To make an extra $2,000 a month, combine skills with online platforms for freelancing (writing, design, VA work), leverage the sharing economy (Airbnb, renting your car), start a scalable online business (dropshipping, digital products, blogging), offer local services (landscaping, pet care, cleaning), or utilize your knowledge through tutoring/coaching and content creation (YouTube, podcasting). Success often comes from multiple streams, focusing on high-demand skills, and consistent effort.
Is $400 an hour a lot for a lawyer?
Yes, $400 an hour is a significant rate for a lawyer, often reflecting experience, specialization, and location, falling at the higher end of average rates ($100-$400+) but can be standard or even considered a "deal" for highly specialized work in major cities, while being quite expensive in other areas or for less complex cases. Factors like the firm's size, location (big city vs. rural), the lawyer's expertise (e.g., corporate, IP vs. family law), and case complexity greatly influence this rate.