Paralegals and Legal Assistants

SOC: 23-2011 O*NET: 23-2011.00
Median Salary
$61,010
per year
Job Growth
πŸ“‰ 0.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
39.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

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.

Overview

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.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Distribution by Percentile

Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.

10th
$36,606
25th
$48,808
50th (Median)
$61,010
75th
$73,212
90th
$91,515

Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.

Typical Benefits Package

Health & Wellness

  • βœ“Health Insurance
  • βœ“Dental Insurance
  • βœ“Vision Insurance
  • βœ“Mental Health Support
  • βœ“Wellness Programs

Financial Benefits

  • βœ“401(k) Retirement Plan
  • βœ“Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
  • βœ“Profit Sharing
  • βœ“Stock Options
  • βœ“Performance Bonuses

Work-Life Balance

  • βœ“Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
  • βœ“Paid Sick Leave
  • βœ“Flexible Work Arrangements
  • βœ“Remote Work Options
  • βœ“Parental Leave

Professional Development

  • βœ“Tuition Reimbursement
  • βœ“Professional Certifications
  • βœ“Conference Attendance
  • βœ“Training Programs
  • βœ“Mentorship Opportunities

Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.

Job Market Intelligence

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:376,200

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+0.2%
Annual Openings:39,300

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)376,200
Current
2034 (Projected)376,800
+0.2%
+600
Employment Change
+0.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: More slowly than average

Key Growth Factors

    Standard growth expectations for this occupation

    Top Skills

    βœ“
    Writing
    Writing
    βœ“
    Active Listening
    Active Listening
    βœ“
    Reading Comprehension
    Reading Comprehension
    βœ“
    Speaking
    Speaking
    βœ“
    Critical Thinking
    Critical Thinking
    βœ“
    Social Perceptiveness
    Social Perceptiveness
    βœ“
    Complex Problem Solving
    Complex Problem Solving
    βœ“
    Judgment and Decision Making
    Judgment and Decision Making
    βœ“
    Monitoring
    Monitoring
    βœ“
    Service Orientation
    Service Orientation

    Key Knowledge Areas

    βœ“
    Law and Government
    βœ“
    English Language
    βœ“
    Administrative
    βœ“
    Computers and Electronics
    βœ“
    Customer and Personal Service
    βœ“
    Administration and Management

    Education & Training

    Education Required

    Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

    Experience Required

    Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

    Job Training

    Training of more than one year