How to Become a Paralegal
Do the legal legwork behind every case: research precedent, draft documents, and keep matters moving for attorneys. It typically requires an associate degree, with a median salary of $62,890 per year and slower than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$62,890/yr
Middle half
$50,340 to $80,080
Job growth
Slower than average
Openings / yr
39,300
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Legal Research
- Document Drafting
- Writing
- Organization
- Attention to Detail
Helpful certifications
- CP (NALA Certified Paralegal)
- RP (NFPA PACE)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
66/100
Work-life balance
69/100
Stress level
49/100
Related careers
- Detective / Criminal Investigator$93,790 median
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- Forensic Science Technician$72,060 median
- Probation Officer$66,270 median
- Firefighter$59,280 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Paralegal make?
The median pay for a Paralegal is $62,890 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $50,340 and $80,080 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Paralegal?
The usual entry point is an associate degree. Common majors are Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, Political Science, and English.
Is Paralegal a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is slower than average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 39,300 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Paralegal use most?
Common skills for this role are Legal Research, Document Drafting, Writing, Organization, and Attention to Detail.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).