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Average Legal Assistant Salary
How Much Does a Paralegal Make?

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Average Salary for Legal Assistant Paralegal by State

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), legal assistants/paralegals earn an average salary of $66,460 per year ($31.95 per hour). Average pay will vary based on the state in which you are employed, the education you’ve earned and level of experience in the field. Starting pay in an entry-level position will tend to be lower until you’ve gained a few years of experience and proven yourself as an indispensable member of a law firm.

Looking ahead: job outlook

The BLS projects the demand for paralegal and legal assistant jobs to rise 4% from 2022-2032, meaning now is a good time to get your foot in the door.

The BLS attributes the projected increase to an effort by law firms to increase efficiency and keep costs as low as possible. Paralegals and legal assistants are expected to handle more tasks previously assigned to a legal secretary or entry-level attorney.

 Average salaryMedian salary
StatePer hourPer yearPer hourPer year
Alabama$24.58$51,130$23.38$48,620
Alaska$30.57$63,580$29.56$61,490
Arizona$29.47$61,300$28.39$59,050
California$36.58$76,080$33.55$69,790
Colorado$33.13$68,920$31.25$65,010
Connecticut$32.36$67,310$30.52$63,490
Delaware$32.86$68,340$28.68$59,660
District of Columbia$44.17$91,880$42.12$87,610
Florida$27.24$56,650$25.09$52,190
Georgia$27.83$57,890$24.72$51,420
Hawaii$28.70$59,690$28.19$58,630
Idaho$24.00$49,930$23.32$48,500
Illinois$30.57$63,590$29.02$60,370
Indiana$26.00$54,080$22.94$47,710
Iowa$28.04$58,310$25.32$52,660
Kansas$25.69$53,440$23.31$48,490
Kentucky$24.53$51,020$23.47$48,810
Louisiana$25.36$52,760$24.19$50,310
Maine$26.97$56,110$26.30$54,710
Maryland$30.23$62,880$28.25$58,760
Massachusetts$34.46$71,670$30.46$63,360
Michigan$28.08$58,400$28.26$58,780
Minnesota$30.51$63,450$29.03$60,380
Mississippi$22.15$46,060$20.96$43,590
Missouri$27.91$58,040$26.64$55,410
Montana$27.98$58,190$26.57$55,270
Nebraska$27.17$56,510$24.33$50,610
Nevada$29.26$60,860$29.41$61,180
New Hampshire$27.18$56,530$24.50$50,960
New Jersey$31.52$65,570$29.35$61,040
New Mexico$24.72$51,420$23.23$48,320
New York$33.59$69,860$30.16$62,730
North Carolina$26.98$56,120$24.68$51,340
North Dakota$26.00$54,090$23.43$48,740
Ohio$26.60$55,320$24.32$50,580
Oklahoma$24.73$51,430$23.31$48,490
Oregon$31.85$66,250$30.76$63,980
Pennsylvania$31.12$64,730$29.85$62,080
South Carolina$25.03$52,060$23.17$48,190
South Dakota$26.58$55,290$26.01$54,100
Tennessee$26.10$54,290$23.28$48,420
Texas$28.83$59,970$27.07$56,310
Utah$26.94$56,040$25.40$52,820
Vermont$29.43$61,210$29.12$60,560
Virginia$29.12$60,570$28.61$59,500
Washington$34.90$72,590$33.30$69,260
West Virginia$24.22$50,380$23.07$47,990
Wisconsin$26.39$54,880$24.03$49,970
Wyoming$25.24$52,500$25.00$52,000
Guam$19.62$40,810$17.78$36,980
Puerto Rico$21.74$45,220$19.60$40,760
Virgin Islands$26.20$54,500$25.32$52,670
All salary data courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.* Data unavailable for Arkansas and Rhode Island.

What does a paralegal do?

Paralegals, also referred to as legal assistants, help lawyers with many different administrative duties: preparation for trials, hearings, meetings and closings, drafting legal documents such as contracts, separation agreements or mortgages, the gathering of legal articles or judicial decisions relating to a case, and much more. Legal assistants may work in many different types of law firms, including criminal law, real estate, divorce, and personal injury.

Learn more about what a paralegal does, including detail on where paralegals typically work and the most common types of paralegal jobs.

Note: paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

How do I become a paralegal?

In order to become a paralegal and thrive in your new career, take these steps:

  1. Choose what degree is right for you
  2. Enroll in a degree program
  3. Earn professional experience
  4. Network whenever possible
  5. Choose a specialty (private sector, public sector, freelance)

Herzing University exists to help you take the leap and become possible. If you’re ready to go back to school and become a paralegal, consider our online associate degree in legal studies program. Graduates are eligible to take the Certified Paralegal examination offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and earn their certification as a paralegal.

Learn more about the Herzing University Associate of Science in Legal Studies program

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* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

Classes Start July 8th

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