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The differences between 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 a paralegal and a summer associate. Additionally, a paralegal has an average salary of $49,943, which is higher than the $42,349 average annual salary of a summer associate.
The top three skills for a paralegal include litigation, legal research and law firm. The most important skills for a summer associate are powerpoint, litigation, and financial models.
| Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $49,943 | $42,349 |
| Hourly rate | $24.01 | $20.36 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 5,177 | 7,546 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Paralegals are law firm or legal department employees who work on cases with lawyers. They handle different activities, usually administrative or clerical, such as organizing and maintaining files, updating records, and managing correspondences, among others. Paralegals also handle different activities directly related to active cases being worked on by lawyers in the firm or department. They assist lawyers on cases by preparing materials needed for trials, conducting legal research, verifying trial facts, helping during interviews, getting statements from those involved in the case, and creating presentation materials. Paralegals should have knowledge of laws and should be familiar with landmark cases.
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.
Paralegals and summer associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Average salary | $49,943 | $42,349 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $70,000 | Between $22,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Arnall Golden Gregory | Crowell & Moring |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a paralegal and a summer associate in terms of educational background:
| Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Legal Support Services | Law |
| Most common college | Harvard University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between paralegals' and summer associates' demographics:
| Paralegal | Summer Associate | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6% | Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 5.7% White, 59.6% 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% |