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Contractor-paralegal vs paralegal specialist

The differences between contractor-paralegals and paralegal specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a contractor-paralegal and a paralegal specialist. Additionally, a paralegal specialist has an average salary of $61,244, which is higher than the $60,686 average annual salary of a contractor-paralegal.

The top three skills for a contractor-paralegal include litigation, legal research and discovery responses. The most important skills for a paralegal specialist are legal research, litigation, and government agencies.

Contractor-paralegal vs paralegal specialist overview

Contractor-ParalegalParalegal Specialist
Yearly salary$60,686$61,244
Hourly rate$29.18$29.44
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs15,6094,185
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4646
Years of experience1212

What does a contractor-paralegal do?

A Contractor-Paralegal works for a law firm or corporate legal department for a specified amount of time, or for a specified task. They can be specialized in the entertainment industry or in providing services to healthcare companies and insurance providers.

What does a paralegal specialist do?

A Paralegal Specialist provides assistance to lawyers and does many of the same jobs that lawyers do. They work in various areas, such as family, environmental, or real estate law.

Contractor-paralegal vs paralegal specialist salary

Contractor-paralegals and paralegal specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contractor-ParalegalParalegal Specialist
Average salary$60,686$61,244
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $99,000Between $35,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CityCamarillo, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companySeaSpineDLA Piper
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between contractor-paralegal and paralegal specialist education

There are a few differences between a contractor-paralegal and a paralegal specialist in terms of educational background:

Contractor-ParalegalParalegal Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorLegal Support ServicesLegal Support Services
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Contractor-paralegal vs paralegal specialist demographics

Here are the differences between contractor-paralegals' and paralegal specialists' demographics:

Contractor-ParalegalParalegal Specialist
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 26.8% Female, 73.2%Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 5.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between contractor-paralegal and paralegal specialist duties and responsibilities

Contractor-paralegal example responsibilities.

  • Manage client expenses and prepare billing and financial statements using PClaw and reconcile attorney's escrow and general accounts using QuickBooks.
  • Assist staff counsels in all aspects of litigation management including factual investigation, document preparation, trial preparation and support.
  • Research using Lexis Nexis and online resources.
  • Summarize medical records, check blue-book cites, retrieve statutory and case law on LEXIS ,
  • Complete contract work for local attorneys in the areas of civil, family law, personal injury, and probate matters.
  • Prepare, compile and distribute various PowerPoint presentations.
  • Show more

Paralegal specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage various types of discovery materials; index/cross-reference network database information; and organize litigation exhibits in preparation for trial.
  • Research cases using LexisNexis and WestLaw.
  • Help develop cases by maintaining contact with people involve in the case; scheduling depositions; and prepare and forward subpoenas.
  • Interview charging parties/aggrieve individuals to answer discovery interrogatories and requests for productions.
  • Assist attorneys by preparing responses to interrogatories and request for production letters.
  • Translate documents and coordinate paperwork including affidavits, petitions, and applications.
  • Show more

Contractor-paralegal vs paralegal specialist skills

Common contractor-paralegal skills
  • Litigation, 12%
  • Legal Research, 9%
  • Discovery Responses, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • In-House Counsel, 5%
  • Contract Database, 5%
Common paralegal specialist skills
  • Legal Research, 14%
  • Litigation, 10%
  • Government Agencies, 9%
  • International Law, 8%
  • Appeals, 8%
  • Technical Guidance, 8%