Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
What it pays
Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn a median of $30.24/hr — about $63,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $21.51/hr; the top 10% earn $48.80/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn a median of $30.24/hr — about $63,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $21.51/hr; the top 10% earn $48.80/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Associate degree. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
The feel of the work
The work splits time indoors and out; time pressure is a real part of the job; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 1.4% of paralegals and legal assistants are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are organized and detail-focused, analytical and take-charge.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
- Legal Support Workers, All Other
- Lawyers
- Judicial Law Clerks
- Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
- Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Quick questions
- How much does a paralegals and legal assistant make?
- The median pay is $30.24 per hour — roughly $63,000 a year, with the real range running from about $21.51/hr (10th percentile) to $48.80/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a paralegals and legal assistant?
- The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
- What does a paralegals and legal assistant actually do all day?
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system. Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements. Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.