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Paralegal instructor vs paralegal specialist

The differences between paralegal instructors 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 paralegal instructor and a paralegal specialist. Additionally, a paralegal specialist has an average salary of $61,244, which is higher than the $55,222 average annual salary of a paralegal instructor.

The top three skills for a paralegal instructor include student learning, legal research and real estate. The most important skills for a paralegal specialist are legal research, litigation, and government agencies.

Paralegal instructor vs paralegal specialist overview

Paralegal InstructorParalegal Specialist
Yearly salary$55,222$61,244
Hourly rate$26.55$29.44
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs28,6534,185
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4646
Years of experience1212

Paralegal instructor vs paralegal specialist salary

Paralegal instructors and paralegal specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Paralegal InstructorParalegal Specialist
Average salary$55,222$61,244
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $98,000Between $35,000 And $106,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-DLA Piper
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between paralegal instructor and paralegal specialist education

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

Paralegal InstructorParalegal Specialist
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorLawLegal Support Services
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Paralegal instructor vs paralegal specialist demographics

Here are the differences between paralegal instructors' and paralegal specialists' demographics:

Paralegal InstructorParalegal Specialist
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 33.7% Female, 66.3%Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.0% White, 63.1% 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 paralegal instructor and paralegal specialist duties and responsibilities

Paralegal instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage large volume of documents, enabling attorneys to easily identify key documents that are critical for mediation and arbitration.
  • Develop and implement course syllabus.
  • Coordinate administrative legal activity, including delivery of subpoenas, setting depositions.
  • Draft correspondence and legal documents relating to estate planning and probate administration.
  • Assume all responsibilities of an undergraduate instructor, including instruction and designing syllabus.
  • Produce innovative bankruptcy PowerPoint marketing presentation
  • 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

Paralegal instructor vs paralegal specialist skills

Common paralegal instructor skills
  • Student Learning, 25%
  • Legal Research, 13%
  • Real Estate, 8%
  • Civil Procedure, 8%
  • Paralegal Program, 7%
  • Litigation, 7%
Common paralegal specialist skills
  • Legal Research, 14%
  • Litigation, 10%
  • Government Agencies, 9%
  • International Law, 8%
  • Appeals, 8%
  • Technical Guidance, 8%