Paralegal: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Paralegals earn a national median of $61,010/yr with 0.2% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Law and Government, English Language, Administrative.
Median Salary
$61,010
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
0.2%
Slower than average
Employed Nationally
367,220
2024 data
Typical Education
Associate's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Paralegal
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Paralegal candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Paralegal performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Paralegal roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 0.2% for Paralegal roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's slower than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 367,220
- Projected Growth
- 0.2%
- Typical Education
- Associate's degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Paralegal do?
- Paralegals apply expertise in Law and Government, English Language, Administrative to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Writing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking.
- How much does a Paralegal make?
- The national median salary for a Paralegal is $61,010 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Paralegal a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Paralegal roles is projected to grow 0.2% over the 2024–2034 decade — slower than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 367,220 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Paralegal?
- The typical entry-level education for a Paralegal is Associate's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Paralegals need?
- The most important skills for Paralegal roles based on verified occupational data: Writing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving. Key tools and technologies include: Orion Law Management Systems Orion, Thomson Reuters Westlaw, Google Workspace software.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.