What is the Average Salary for Entry-Level Paralegal Positions?

<p>According to <i>Payscale.com</i>, entry-level paralegals earned between $32,000 and $54,000 annually as of January 2023. Your starting salary as a paralegal can vary from this estimate based on your location, employer and legal specialization. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>
<b>Work Environment</b>
</td><td>
Office, law library</td></tr> <tr><td>
<b>Similar Occupations</b>
</td><td>
Lawyer, claims adjuster, administrative assistant</td></tr> <tr><td>
<b>Projected Job Growth (2021-2031)</b>
</td><td>
14% (for paralegals and legal assistants)</td></tr> <tr><td>
<b>Key Skills</b>
</td><td>
Communication, research, organization, technology</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---LocationAndOtherFactors">Location and Other Factors</h3> <p>If you live in a larger city, your starting salary might be higher than that of a paralegal working in a smaller town. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that as of May 2021, metropolitan areas in the District of Columbia, New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, and Washington all offered higher average salaries that were greater than the national average for paralegals and legal assistants (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). </p> <p>The kind of business you work for can also affect your salary; some paralegals are employed at law firms and corporate legal departments, while others work in the public sector for state or federal government departments. The BLS stated that as of May 2021, the highest paid industries for paralegals and legal secretaries are Merchant Wholesalers/Nondurable Goods, Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing, Scientific Research and Development Services, Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing and Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing. Average salaries in these industries in 2021 ranged from $90,800-$112,700 per year, according to the BLS. </p> <p>In addition, you may choose to specialize in an area of law, such as litigation, family law, personal injury or estate law. Some of these specializations may provide paralegals with slightly higher starting salaries. <i>Payscale.com</i> reported that as of June 2022, the salary range for entry-level corporate paralegals was between $39,000 and $74,000, while litigation paralegals with the same amount of experience earned between $36,000 and $71,000 per year. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationOptions">Education Options</h3> <p>You might receive a higher entry-level salary if you complete an associate's or bachelor's degree program in legal assisting or paralegal studies. Paralegal programs can provide an overview of several areas of law and teach you the fundamental skills needed to assist attorneys with common legal practices. Your courses may include the following subjects: </p> <ul><li>Business law </li><li>Legal writing </li><li>Family law </li><li>Criminal law </li><li>Bankruptcy law </li><li>Interviewing techniques </li><li>Ethics of law </li></ul><h3 id="section---Certification">Certification</h3> <p>Although it is not required, you might seek certification through a professional organization to increase your employability and potential salary as a paralegal. In general, professional certification agencies require you to have experience working as a paralegal in order to qualify for testing. However, the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) provides certification to entry-level paralegals. If you graduate from an approved associate's degree, bachelor's degree or certificate paralegal training program, you can apply for testing to become a Certified Paralegal (<i>www.nala.org</i>).</p>