Launch Your Paralegal Career Today
Your paralegal degree or certificate can be the spark that sets off your career potential. By gaining the necessary skills and background, you will have the opportunity to move up inside one of the fastest-growing, most lucrative industries in the nation.
More law firms than ever are turning to paralegals and other legal support personnel to manage the important tasks that build cases and drive the legal system. And with growing regulations in industries like business, energy and healthcare, paralegals are being given even greater responsibility - which means professional experience, higher salaries and a stronger resume when applying to law school.
Did you know:
- Paralegals can earn over $70,300 annually in top industries
- Over 55,000 new Paralegal jobs will open up over the next several years due to increased demand for legal support
- Paralegals can move up quickly into administrative and management roles, or advance to become lawyers
Find Paralegal training today by completing the search form to the right and requesting enrollment info from accredited schools near you.
Paralegal Job Description
Paralegals take on many of the roles played by lawyers, including preparing cases for court, identifying the laws relevant to a case, and ensuring all relevant information is considered. Many paralegals even continue building their experience to become lawyers.
Some Paralegals tasks include:
- Investigating case facts
- Reviewing previous studies and decisions
- Reporting discoveries to attorneys
- Building arguments for court
- Draft agreements and contracts
To find Paralegal schools near you, complete the search form to the right and browse schools in your area.
Paralegal Training
The three most popular paths to becoming a paralegal are:
- An associate degree in paralegal studies (24 months)
- A certificate in paralegal studies, for students with a degree in another field (12 months)
- A bachelor degree in paralegal studies (48 months)
All three paths are typically taken at a career or junior college, with further training done on the job.
After graduation, Paralegals may seek certification to improve their employability. Ask your school about available certifications.
To find Paralegal schools near you, complete the search form to the right and browse schools in your area.
Paralegal Salary
Paralegals usually earn around $54,600 annually, earning more with experience. Wages vary with the size of the company, as well as industry and region.
The industries employing the most paralegals are shown below, with the median annual salary for each:
| Federal Government | $56,080 |
| Management | $52,220 |
| Local government | $42,170 |
| Legal services | $41,460 |
| State government | $38,020 |
To find Paralegal schools near you, complete the search form to the right and browse schools in your area.
Paralegal Career Outlook
The Paralegal industry is expecting a 22% employment increase in the next decade, much faster growth than other industries, according to the US Labor Bureau.
The paralegal profession is expanding rapidly as more duties once handled by lawyers are taken on by paralegals. Legal action is also more requested in the areas of intellectual property, international law, criminal law, and environmental law than it has been in the past.
To find a paralegal program near you, complete the search form to the right and request more information from schools in your area.
