Paralegals and Legal Assistants

23-2011.00 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

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 known as: Certified Paralegal, Contract Preparer, Contracts Specialist, Corporate Legal Assistant, Corporate Paralegal, Document Processor, Estate Planning Paralegal, Family Law Paralegal, ...

Annual Salary

$61,010

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$48,190 25th – 75th percentile $78,280
10th percentile $39,710
90th percentile $98,990
U.S. Employment: 367,220

Job Outlook

+0.2%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Slower than average)

Annual Job Openings 39,300 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Associate's degree

What You'd Do

  • Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
  • Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
  • Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
  • Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
  • Investigate 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.
  • Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
  • Call upon witnesses to testify at hearings.
  • Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
  • Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that the law library is up-to-date.
  • Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning.

Top Skills

Writing 4.0
Reading Comprehension 3.9
Active Listening 3.9
Speaking 3.6
Critical Thinking 3.3
Complex Problem Solving 3.0
Active Learning 3.0
Service Orientation 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Law and Government 4.8
English Language 4.4
Administrative 4.2
Computers and Electronics 3.9
Customer and Personal Service 3.6
Administration and Management 3.3
Mathematics 2.6
Education and Training 2.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Bachelor's
36.9%
Associate's
20.1%
High School
18.6%
Doctoral
10%
Post-Bacc Cert
9.6%
Certificate
2.4%
Some College
2.3%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Adobe Acrobat Google Docs Google Workspace software Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Word Zoom

Other Tools

a la mode WinTOTAL AbacusNext HotDocs American LegalNet USCourtForms Appligent Citation FDFMerge Blumbeg Drafting Libraries Bowne JFS Litigator's Notebook Bridgeway eCounsel Case analysis software CaseSoft DepPrep CaseSoft TextMap CaseSoft TimeMap Computer access catalog software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite Corporate Focus Solium Shareworks Database software +2 more

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.8
Attention to Detail
2.7
Dependability
2.4
Integrity
2.1
Cautiousness
1.9
Intellectual Curiosity
1.9
Cooperation
1.8
Perseverance

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Written Comprehension 4.0
Oral Comprehension 3.9
Oral Expression 3.9
Written Expression 3.9
Near Vision 3.8
Speech Recognition 3.8
Speech Clarity 3.8
Problem Sensitivity 3.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Documenting/Recording Information 4.4
Working with Computers 4.4
Communicating with People Outside the Organization 4.3
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.3
Getting Information 4.3
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.1
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 4.0
Performing Administrative Activities 3.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.9
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.8
Spend Time Sitting
4.8
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.7
Telephone Conversations
4.5
Contact With Others
4.5
Written Letters and Memos
4.5
Time Pressure
4.4
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.3
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.2
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.1

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.