Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, help lawyers by doing such tasks as investigating facts, researching relevant laws and articles, and writing reports. They help legal professionals prepare for cases and may prepare trial arguments and documents. They may also specialize in such areas as personal injury, immigration, family law, and real estate. However, they are not authorized to practice law.
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What are the Average Incomes for Paralegals?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) paralegals make an average of $60,970 per year or $29.31 per hour.
The lowest-earning 10 percent received less than $48,860 annually, while the best-paid made over $98,830 yearly.
This is slightly more than the mean annual $45,790.
What Are Some Lucrative Industries for Paralegals?
Paralegal salary varies by industry.
Legal services contained the most paralegal jobs, averaging $59,660 per year.
Local government was a distant second for jobs, receiving a mean annual $61,240.
Ranking first for salary were finance and insurance, averaging $77,630 per year.
Which states are the best to get Jobs in for Paralegals?
The states with the greatest number of people had the potential for the most court cases.
As of 2025, California employs the highest number of paralegals, with approximately 33,490 positions, and offers a median annual salary of $75,140.
The District of Columbia offers the highest average annual salary for paralegals, at $91,880.
In California, the median annual salary for paralegals is $75,140, with the top 10% earning up to $117,120.
In the District of Columbia, the average annual salary for paralegals is $91,880.
Will Paralegals Continue to be in Demand?
Paralegal jobs are expected to increase only 1 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS. Many companies are hiring paralegals instead of lawyers to try and reduce costs. The largest employers will continue to be law firms but many large companies are also hiring these assistants to expand their legal departments. Competition is expected to be fierce. Those with experience and formal training will find the best jobs and salaries.
