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.
Also called: Certified Paralegal, Contract Preparer, Contracts Specialist, Corporate Legal Assistant, Corporate Paralegal, Document Processor
Median pay
$62,890
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$44,740 – $101,500
People employed
392,880
Holland code
CIE
Conventional · Investigative · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 4.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 5.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 6.Do you prefer working indoors?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What paralegals and legal assistants do
- 01Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- 02Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- 03Investigate 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.
- 04Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- 05Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- 06Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
Skills that matter most
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from paralegals and legal assistants
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants91% · −12%
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs84% · −14%
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants83% · +22%
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents79% · −1%
- Private Detectives and Investigators79% · −19%
Change into paralegals and legal assistants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants92% · $55,570
- Private Detectives and Investigators84% · $51,220
- Judicial Law Clerks83% · $64,920
- Tax Preparers83% · $54,920
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82% · $48,700
Majors that lead here
- Legal Studies
- Legal Assistant/Paralegal
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.