Business & Office career

Paralegal

Also called: Legal Assistant · Litigation Paralegal · Corporate Paralegal · Certified Paralegal

What paralegals do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a paralegal do?

Paralegals support lawyers by conducting legal research, drafting documents, organizing files and evidence, managing deadlines and communicating with clients and courts, but they cannot give legal advice. The median pay is $62,890 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6 months to 2 years, and employment is projected to grow -0.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $62,890
    $30.24/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -0.3%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    40,800
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Associate's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    6 months to 2 years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    404,900
    Employment, 2025

What paralegals do

Paralegals do much of the substantive work behind legal cases and transactions. In litigation they organize discovery, summarize depositions, draft pleadings and prepare trial binders; in corporate, real estate or estate planning practices they draft agreements, track filings and manage closings, all under attorney supervision.

BLS lists an associate degree as typical, and many paralegals complete a certificate program, especially people who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Voluntary certifications from NALA, NFPA and NALS strengthen résumés. Paralegals must avoid the unauthorized practice of law.

Typical duties

  • Conduct legal and factual research
  • Draft pleadings, motions, correspondence and contracts for attorney review
  • Organize and manage case files and discovery documents
  • Track deadlines and maintain the case calendar
  • Prepare exhibits, trial binders and closing documents
  • Communicate with clients, courts and opposing counsel’s staff
  • File documents electronically with courts and agencies

Work environment and schedule

Paralegals work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies and nonprofits. The work is office- and computer-based, with occasional trips to courts or client sites. Some roles are hybrid.

Schedule: Usually full-time; litigation paralegals may work long hours before trials and filing deadlines.

A day in the life

  1. Check the docketing calendar and court e-filing notices for new deadlines.
  2. Run a conflict check for a potential new client.
  3. Draft responses to interrogatories for attorney review.
  4. Bates-number and log 2,000 pages of documents for a discovery production.

See a full day in the life of a paralegal →

Paralegal salary

Half of paralegals earned more than $62,890 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $44,740 for the lowest 10% to $101,500 for the top 10%.

Full paralegal pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a paralegal

  1. Build writing and research skills
  2. Complete paralegal education
  3. Gain experience
  4. Earn a certification
  5. Specialize

BLS lists an associate degree as typical. Many paralegals complete a paralegal certificate (often ABA-approved), especially if they already have a bachelor’s degree. Some states, such as California, set specific education requirements to use the paralegal title.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a paralegal →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Legal research
  • Legal writing and drafting
  • Discovery management
  • Docketing and calendaring
  • Court e-filing

People skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Organization
  • Discretion
  • Clear writing

All paralegal skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Substantive legal work without law school
  • Training in two years or less
  • Variety of practice areas
  • Good pay in larger firms and corporations

Cons

  • Deadline pressure and occasional long hours
  • High stakes for errors
  • Can’t give legal advice or sign pleadings
  • Some routine document work

Certifications and licenses

  • Certified Paralegal (NALA CP): A widely recognized voluntary certification.
  • NFPA PCCE and PACE: Core and advanced competency exams from the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
  • NALS Professional Paralegal (PP): Certification from NALS, the association for legal professionals.
  • E-discovery certifications: Such as Relativity certifications for litigation support.

Career path

  1. Legal Assistant or Junior Paralegal: Support attorneys with documents and files.
  2. Paralegal: Handle research, drafting and case management.
  3. Senior Paralegal or Specialist: Lead trial prep, e-discovery or complex transactions.
  4. Paralegal Manager or Law School: Manage teams or become an attorney.

Learn the job before day one

Our Paralegal training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as calendar a court deadline and run a conflict check, safety and how to land your first job.

View Paralegal trainingIs this career right for me?

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Compare: Paralegal vs. Administrative Assistant · Paralegal vs. HR Specialist · Paralegal vs. Accountant · Paralegal vs. Real Estate Agent

Paralegal FAQ

Do paralegals need a license?

Most states don’t license paralegals, but they must work under attorney supervision. Some states regulate the title or education requirements.

How long does it take to become a paralegal?

Certificate programs can take a few months to a year; associate degrees take about two years.

Can a paralegal give legal advice?

No. Only licensed attorneys can give legal advice or represent clients (with limited exceptions in some states for licensed paraprofessionals).

How much does a paralegal make?

The median annual wage for paralegals was $62,890 ($30.24 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,740 and the highest 10% earned more than $101,500.

How long does it take to become a paralegal?

Most people need about 6 months to 2 years of training. BLS lists an associate degree as typical. Many paralegals complete a paralegal certificate (often ABA-approved), especially if they already have a bachelor’s degree. Some states, such as California, set specific education requirements to use the paralegal title.

Do you need a degree to be a paralegal?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.

More paralegal questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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