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Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Legal · Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent

This profile is intended as career exploration guidance based on federal labor data. Actual job requirements, salaries, and opportunities vary by employer and location.

Entry Salary

$36–44k

First 1–2 years

Peak Salary

$55–64k

10+ years experience

Job Outlook

+0.2% · Slower than average

Projected growth of 0.2% from 2024 to 2034; about 39 openings projected per year.

Time to Start

2–4 years

College degree typical

Salary data sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, employer, and specialization.

📈 Career Ladder

1

Entry-Level Assistants

$32–40k0–1 year
2

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

$40–50k1–4 years
3

Experienced Paralegals and Legal Assistants

$50–60k3–6 years
4

Senior Paralegals and Legal Assistants

$60–64k7–12 years

Director of Legal

$64k+12+ years

🎯 Why You Match

You prioritize Relationships

This career is strongly aligned with Relationships — a core work value that shapes how people approach their career decisions.

You're strong in Active Listening

Active Listening is a top skill for this career, and it plays to what students like you naturally do best.

Good fit for your timeline

This career typically requires some college or a registered apprenticeship, which matches common student preparation goals.

🏫 Programs & Schools

Browse schools offering programs in this field

595 schools offer programs in this career field.

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Branching Paths

From Paralegals and Legal Assistants, you can branch into:

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