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The differences between assistant paralegals and summer associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an assistant paralegal and a summer associate. Additionally, an assistant paralegal has an average salary of $55,677, which is higher than the $42,349 average annual salary of a summer associate.
The top three skills for an assistant paralegal include law firm, litigation and paralegals. The most important skills for a summer associate are powerpoint, litigation, and financial models.
| Assistant Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $55,677 | $42,349 |
| Hourly rate | $26.77 | $20.36 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 6,331 | 7,546 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Assistant paralegals are legal professionals who plan, develop, and manage cases. The assistant paralegals collect and arrange evidence and legal documents for review by attorneys and case preparation. They draft correspondence, document responses, discoveries, and pleadings. It is their duty to analyze and either write or summarize reports so that attorneys can prepare for their trials. They contact and have a conference with their clients. Among the skills the paralegal assistant needs to possess include communication, writing, research, organization, and confidentiality.
Summer associates are law students hired seasonally by law firms. The aim is for future lawyers to be exposed to the practical aspects of a firm. Typically, this program lasts for nine weeks, beginning in May and running through July. Summer associates are expected to be friendly and kind to people, preserve company reputation, support other associates, and perform legal tasks appropriately.
Assistant paralegals and summer associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Average salary | $55,677 | $42,349 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $103,000 | Between $22,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | New York |
| Best paying company | - | Crowell & Moring |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between an assistant paralegal and a summer associate in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Political Science | Law |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between assistant paralegals' and summer associates' demographics:
| Assistant Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.1% Female, 69.9% | Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 5.4% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |