Based on recent jobs postings on Zippia, the average salary in the U.S. for a Paralegal is $46,712 per year or $22 per hour. The highest paying Paralegal jobs have a salary over $64,000 per year while the lowest paying Paralegal jobs pay $33,000 per year
Legal secretaries are employees in a law firm who are responsible for many administrative tasks. They handle the tasks such as filing and keeping records, ensuring that all documents are stored properly, and update contact information data and other essential office databases. They must also be knowledgeable on the law because they are, at times, assigned to draw up legal documents such as motions and subpoenas, conduct legal research, and write up other important office memoranda. Legal secretaries should be organized, trustworthy, and level-headed.
Generally, an attorney's responsibility is to advise the client with an ongoing lawsuit on the legal procedures and provide strategies to resolve the case as early as possible. An attorney compiles necessary documents or any records for appeal and client's defense. Attorneys must acquire strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to mediate disputes and settle pending litigation for the client's best interest. In some cases, an attorney's procedure depends on any evidence and research presented during the trial period. An attorney is expected to present clients on legal proceedings, seeking justice and justifying the law.
Executive assistants are employees who are assigned to work under the supervision of company executives. They manage the activities of the executives they are assigned to by manning the executive's calendar, scheduling appointments, setting meetings, ensuring that the executives are familiar with their schedule for the day, and taking note of any deliverable that may be needed. They are also responsible for taking care of any document or paperwork that the executive needs, as well as preparing presentation materials or briefers for meetings. Executive assistants are also usually exposed to actual company operations to further understand how the business works and to be of better help to the executive.
A Senior Paralegal helps attorneys acquire the information needed for legal research, document preparation, and for other assignments delegated to them. They are usually specialized in certain areas of law, such as tax law.
Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.
Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a paralegal. While possible, it is unlikely to earn over $100k as a paralegal because even higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $64,000 per year. The average annual salary for a paralegal is $46,712.
Yes, paralegal jobs are hard to get. The competition is fierce, and when you come up against competitors who already have experience working within a law firm, you may feel your chances of success to be slim.
My best advice for getting hired as a paralegal is training, experience, and networking. As a new paralegal getting that first job is tough because employers are looking for experience. Any internships a paralegal student can do would be beneficial in the long run, and worth the legal experience gained in the field.
This experience can be listed on a resume. By networking, paralegals make the vital connections needed in today's market to give them the extra inside track of who's hiring and who to talk to. Joining their local and state paralegal associations and attending meetings and socials is a great way to network.
Yes, paralegals make good money. The average paralegal makes an average of $50,940 a year. The range, however, can start from as low as $31,400 a year to as high as $82,050 a year. Factors such as location and years of experience impact the earning potential of a paralegal.
Years of Experience and Pay Rate for Paralegals:
An entry-level Paralegal (less than one year experience) averages $39,729 a year.
An early career (1 to 4 years of experience) averages $43,497 a year.
A mid-career (5 to 9 years of experience) averages $51,047 a year.
An experienced Paralegal (10 to 19 years of experience) averages $55,356 a year.
Late career (20 or more years) averages $60,203 a year.
Top-Paying Cities for Paralegals:
Sunnyvale, CA - $56,702 a year ($27.26 an hour)
Santa Rosa, CA - $54,842 a year ($26.37 an hour)
Napa, CA - $54,087 a year ($26.00 an hour)
Williston, ND - $53,957 a year ($25.94 an hour)
Manhattan, NY - $53,814 a year ($25.87 an hour)
Princeton, NJ - $53,425 a year ($25.69 an hour)
Cambridge, MA - $53,150 a year ($25.55 an hour)
Arlington, VA - $52,850 a year ($25.41 an hour)
Dickinson, ND - $52,526 a year ($25.25 an hour)
Ketchikan, AK - $52,330 a year ($25.16 an hour)