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The differences between litigation paralegals and legal analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a litigation paralegal, becoming a legal analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a litigation paralegal has an average salary of $58,484, which is higher than the $57,497 average annual salary of a legal analyst.
The top three skills for a litigation paralegal include litigation, law firm and trial preparation. The most important skills for a legal analyst are legal research, litigation, and powerpoint.
| Litigation Paralegal | Legal Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $58,484 | $57,497 |
| Hourly rate | $28.12 | $27.64 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 5,132 | 6,478 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
A litigation paralegal is a specialist who is responsible for assisting attorneys throughout the trial process. On the plaintiff side, litigation paralegals conduct initial client interviews and legal research for case preparations. They assist with the preliminary examinations of witnesses and jury selection in the courtroom. Litigation paralegals often assist attorneys with case settlements and help identify issues for appeals. They must also possess excellent skills in verbal and written communication and should have great attention in detail.
A legal analyst is responsible for evaluating legal documents and reports to support and resolve legal matters by complying with state regulations and legislation procedures. Legal analysts compile researches to understand legal cases and coordinate with clients for in-depth counseling and executing necessary actions. They also attend court hearings and sessions to represent clients and investigate lawsuits. A legal analyst must have excellent knowledge of the law industry to examine legal contracts and assist clients with case resources.
Litigation paralegals and legal analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Litigation Paralegal | Legal Analyst | |
| Average salary | $58,484 | $57,497 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $83,000 | Between $33,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Schiff Hardin | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a litigation paralegal and a legal analyst in terms of educational background:
| Litigation Paralegal | Legal Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Legal Support Services | Law |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between litigation paralegals' and legal analysts' demographics:
| Litigation Paralegal | Legal Analyst | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.4% Female, 75.6% | Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 10% |