Paralegals and Legal Assistants
SOC code 23-2011 · O*NET-SOC 23-2011.00 · Medium preparation needed · Legal and protective services
Paralegals do much of the research, drafting and case preparation behind legal work without holding a law degree. Most enter through an associate degree or a post-bachelor certificate, and the role is one of the highest-paying office careers reachable without a four-year degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$62,890
a year
Hourly
$30.24
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$69,700
$33.51 per hour
Middle 50%
$50,340 – $80,080
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$44,740 – $101,500
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
392,880
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $44,740
- $21.51/hr
- 25th percentile
- $50,340
- $24.20/hr
- Median percentile
- $62,890
- $30.24/hr
- 75th percentile
- $80,080
- $38.50/hr
- 90th percentile
- $101,500
- $48.80/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
0%
Little or no change expected
376,200
jobs in 2024
376,800
projected for 2034
About 600 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- File pleadings with court clerks.
- Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 37% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree37%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree20%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)19%
- Doctoral Degree10%
Common questions
How much does a paralegals and legal assistants earn?
The national median is $62,890 a year. The full range runs from $44,740 at the 10th percentile to $101,500 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a paralegals and legal assistants without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is paralegals and legal assistants in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 0% between 2024 and 2034 — little or no change expected. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Writing4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government4.8/5
- English Language4.4/5
- Administrative4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
- Mathematics2.6/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving.