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Paralegal Salaries

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Ranked #33,055 in Education, #585,547 overall

Salary Expectations for a Career as a Paralegal

A paralegal career are set to be one area where demand will outgrow supply significantly over the last decade; as people turn to more technologically based professions. However, with a little work and dedication, setting out on a route in the legal world could be very beneficial.

Though entry to the field can come at any stage of life, starting to plan a paralegal career in high school can be the most effective way forward. As such, it is good to study US Politics and History, whilst the staples of English and Mathematics will give good grounding for later studies.

Whilst at school, it is worth seeing if experience in an administration position at a local law firm can be found. This not only provides excellent grounding; but will look good on your resume. There are many externships available; so it is always worth visiting the offices and asking. Again, this shows proactivity too.

When considering suitable colleges, it is always good to make a plan of course, but for potential paralegals this is certainly key. Enrolling to nationally accredited colleges may also help seal financial backing from the state.

Students heading towards the professions will be expected to complete an Associate or Bachelor's degree; lasting between 18 and 24 months. Whilst studying specialized courses, it is also good to complete studies in a range of laws; commercial, probate and domestic being the preferred choices here.

It is naturally important to also study statutes, current law, and regulation practices. Throughout studies, and into working life, it is also only prudent to continue to keep abreast of all the latest developments regards these areas.

A paralegal career can be financially lucrative with the average salary of a paralegal being higher than most and, dependant on the field of speciality, emotionally rewarding. With law being necessary in all areas of life, there are a wealth of opportunities out there. Good luck.

Paralegal Salary

According to the bls.gov site (Bureau of Labor Statistics), the annual average paralegal salary in May 2008 was $46,120. It's possible to earn up to a whopping $73,450 though depending on your experience and where you gain employment. You can get more paralegal salary data from the bls.gov link below:

BLS.gov Paralegal Salary Info

Education and Training

The best way to become a paralegal is through a community college paralegal program. This will lead to an associate degree.

There are more than 1,000 law schools, universities and colleges which are offering paralegal training programmes, many of which are approved by the American Bar Association.

Is This A Competitive Career?

This is a competitive career. The best employment opportunities are for formally trained, experienced paralegals, who have an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field along with a certificate in paralegal studies.

For corporate or government employees, a standard 40 hour week is usual, although paralegals who work for law firms often have very long hours when there is pressure to meet deadlines.

A Typical Working Day ....

Lawyers normally assume the responsibility for legal work. A paralegals task is therefore to assist the lawyer in preparation for hearings, trials and meetings. They may investigate cases to make sure that the relevant information is available and prepare written reports for use by the attorneys.