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Paralegal
To become a paralegal, you must first have a high school diploma or a GED. The paralegal program can be found at trade schools and community colleges across the country. The community college paralegal program is generally a two year associate degree, however some lawyers prefer their paralegals to have a bachelor’s degree from a top college.
What Is A Paralegal?
Paralegals can be found working alongside lawyers, helping them by working files, organizing the case through research, and crafting supporting documents. A paralegal’s duty depends on who you work for and which area of law you're in. Because the paralegal works directly on a case and, in some instances, does much of the work to present the case, your hours are billable to the client—similar to a lawyer, only not as expensive.
At school, paralegals may specialize in
- Personal injury
- Criminal law
- Bankruptcy
- Immigration
- Corporate
- Litigation
Courses a paralegal will take at school
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Corporate law
- International law
- Legal applications of computers
Qualities important to paralegals are strong communication skills, proficient computer skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and exceptional organization and research skills.
How Much Does A Paralegal Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that paralegals made an average of $66,460 in 2023, with the top 10 percent earning closer to $98,830. Your salary can vary depending on your experience, specialty, and location.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for paralegals is expected to remain steady throughout the next decade. The BLS predicts that by 2032, demand for paralegals will increase 4 percent (which is the national average of all occupations), adding about 38,000 job openings for paralegals each year.
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