Paralegal Salary Guide
Overview of compensation in the paralegal industry
Paralegal Salary Guide
This paralegal salary guide covers several paralegal jobs and their corresponding midpoint salaries for 2018. A paralegal, also called a legal assistant, helps lawyers in almost all aspects of the field. Duties include drafting motions and summarizing reports. Some paralegals may assume more responsibilities than others, depending on the needs of the employer. They can also work in various industries, from law firms and government agencies to legal divisions of large businesses or corporations.
To become a paralegal, one may need to take an associate degree in Paralegal Studies or a bachelor’s degree to obtain a certificate in Paralegal Studies. Paralegals, like lawyers, can be experts in different types of law, including corporate, family, immigration, or criminal law. The profession is ideal for individuals who are interested in law but do not want to undergo the rigorous process of becoming a lawyer.
Paralegal Salary Guide – Jobs in the US
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 15% growth in employment for paralegals between 2016 and 2026, which translates to 41,800 positions. The demand is seen to increase as law firms are expected to hire paralegals who can perform and deliver high-quality work at lower salaries than those of lawyers. Aside from being cost-effective, hiring paralegals increases efficiency. There are roles called hybrid or blended Paralegals or Legal Assistants who can take on a wide range of responsibilities.
Legal jobs, including paralegals, will be in demand in many sectors, primarily in litigation, general business or commercial law, real estate, regulatory or compliance, and healthcare. Also, law firms will look for individuals who are suitable to be paralegals and insurance defense paralegals. Other in-demand positions are litigation legal secretary, compliance manager, intellectual property manager, real estate attorney, and contract administrator.
In the US, a paralegal earns an average annual salary of $50,118, while the typical tenure is from one to three years.
Paralegal Salary Guide in the US for 2018
The table below shows the paralegal salary guide for candidates with average experience and skill sets needed for the job. The figures do not include bonuses, incentives, and other forms of additional compensation:
| Paralegal Jobs | Base Salary |
|---|---|
| Paralegal Manager | $85,000 |
| Senior/Supervising Paralegal (7+ years’ exp.) | $68,000 |
| Midlevel Paralegal (4-6 years’ exp.) | $60,000 |
| Paralegal (2-3 years’ exp.) | $45,750 |
| Senior Paralegal/Legal Assistant (Hybrid) | $69,500 |
| Paralegal/Legal Assistant (Hybrid) | $50,000 |
| Senior/Executive Legal Secretary (12+ years’ exp.) | $66,000 |
| Legal Secretary (7-11 years’ exp.) | $60,000 |
| Legal Secretary (3-6 years’ exp.) | $51,500 |
| Legal Secretary (1-2 years’ exp.) | $40,000 |
Source: Robert Half 2018 Salary Guide for Legal Professionals
Additional Readings
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