Paralegal Salaries
Paralegal Salary Information to
Know What You’re Worth
Whether you’re considering a new career as a paralegal or you’ve been working as a legal assistant for
some time, it’s important to know the going rate for paralegal salaries.
The average paralegal salary is roughly $45,500 annually, although some surveys point to a higher
nationwide average. Legal Assistant Today’s 16th annual paralegal salary survey puts the
average salary of a paralegal, nationwide, as high as $52,979.
However, as with any profession, there are a range of factors that affect how much YOU will
truly make. Read on to understand how to maximize your earning potential.
Factors Affecting Paralegal Salaries
1. Your Experience
As in most jobs, paralegal experience pays more. According to PayScale.com, paralegals with less than one year of experience made an average
salary of $34,957 while those with 5-9 years made $44,737. Paralegals with 10+ years of experience
typically make $50,000 or more.
2. Your Legal Specialty
According to Legal Assistant Today, corporate paralegals typically earn the highest salaries. In fact,
their 2007 annual survey found corporate paralegals earned, on average, $61,764 annually. In a corporate setting,
legal specialities such as international law, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), litigation, and securities law
are in particular demand. According to recruiters, other top corporate specialities include intellectual property
law, commercial real estate, and international trade law.
At law firms, the highest paralegal salaries typically go to those working in tax law, intellectual property,
securities law, corporation & enterprise law, or commercial law. The following chart from PayScale.com shows
median ("middle of the road") paralegal salaries for a number of legal
specialties.
3. Your Employer
The type of firm you work for also affects your earning potential. According to Legal Assistant
Today’s 2007 paralegal salary survey, corporate paralegals earn the highest on average, followed by law
firms and then government paralegals. Legal recruiters also indicate that corporate settings offer the highest
earnings potential, particularly in high-demand specialities like intellectual property.
4. Your Location
As with most professions, if you live in a major city such as New York or Chicago, you will likely earn more
than your counterparts in small- and mid-sized cities. (You will also spend more given typically higher
living costs!)
Check out the going rate for current jobs where YOU live:
5. Your Certifications
We've said it before and we'll say it again: paralegal certification generally PAYS! There is one
caveat: it's important to do your research to understand what employers in your region are looking for.
Certification may be more or less important in marketing yourself depending where you live.
Beyond Salary: Evaluate Your Total Compensation Package
It’s important to remember that salary is just one component of your total compensation package. To truly get a
sense of your earning potential as a paralegal, you need to consider everything potential employers offer. A major
consideration beyond paralegal salaries is your bonus potential. According to PayScale.com, median paralegal
bonuses range from $1,000 - $2,000 annually, depending on experience.
Other benefits to evaluate include paid vacation days, sick leave, 401K plans (possibly where the company
“matches” your contributions, up to a certain percentage), insurance plans (health dental, or life),
and even tuition reimbursement. Just a few of these items can add thousands of dollars to your total
compensation package!
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