Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Legal Support • Legal Careers

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action. Excludes "Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants" (43-6012).

Typical Salary (Median)
$61,010
(2024 BLS data)
Half earn more, half earn less
Average Salary (Mean)
$66,510
Mathematical average of all salaries
National Employment
367,220
Education Required
Associate's degree
BLS Code: 232011

Understanding Salary Statistics: The typical salary (median) shows what a middle-of-the-road Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns, making it useful for salary negotiations. The average salary (mean) can be higher due to top earners and is often used in industry reports.

Salary Distribution

National salary ranges for Paralegals and Legal Assistants (2024)

10th Percentile
$39,710
25th Percentile
$48,190
75th Percentile
$78,280
90th Percentile
$98,990

Top Industries

Industries with the most Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions

1
Cross-industry, Private, Federal, State, and Local Government
367,220
$66,510 avg
2
Cross-industry, Private Ownership Only
319,460
$66,080 avg
3
Sector 54 - Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
286,280
$64,220 avg
4
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
286,280
$64,220 avg
5
Legal Services
281,870
$63,970 avg

Work Environment

Office

Career Overview

💼 About This Career

Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals work in legal careers, specifically in legal support. This role typically requires associate's degree and offers a median salary of $61,010.

📊 Job Market Outlook

The job growth outlook for Paralegals and Legal Assistants is rated as Moderate. Currently, there are approximately 367,220 people employed in this occupation nationwide.

Related Skills & Keywords

paralegal legal assistant litigation assistant

Data Source: Salary and employment statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program , 2024 data. Historical trends show changes over time. Individual results may vary based on experience, location, and employer.