Paralegal Blog

Are you considering becoming a paralegal? The choices you make can have a big impact on the salary you earn.

To help you prepare, here are three steps you can take to gain information and maximize your salary as you move toward beginning your paralegal career.

The Center’s online teaching technology focuses on improving all aspects of paralegal education. The objective is to engage more students in exciting new ways, on their terms and devices. Professors can connect with students more effectively, so students stay informed, involved and collaborative. 

Paralegal student Amy Osterloh explained how the college’s online technology specifically helped her in one of her classes, “...after completing a degree (at) a 4 year university (and) years of real estate classes, this class has prepared and exposed me to more helpful information that I have been able to absorb and carry with me to the classes ahead.” She continued, “I absolutely love the online format, and my concern with not feeling close to the teacher and classmates due to a virtual classroom have been completely alleviated. I have grown close with my classmates, and even though we don't agree on everything, we are still able to have civil and mature debates on laws and issues that could be very polarizing.”

With faster than average job growth for paralegals, job competition among paralegals is anticipated to be strong for the foreseeable future. This increased job demand heightens the need for the right education and training to succeed in this profession.

Citing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the paralegal career is expected to continue to grow.

(See updated article at Higher income and job demand signals growth for paralegals)

The BLS reports salary ranges for paralegals between $29,000 and $75,000 per year. The median annual salary is $49,700. While various organizations are hiring paralegals to handle the duties formerly performed by lawyers, most paralegals are finding employment with private law firms.

If you are interested in the paralegal profession, then it's important to understand the difference between being a certified paralegal and having a certificate in paralegal studies.

PARALEGAL CERTIFICATE
A person who has successfully completed a paralegal education and training program may receive a certificate. Receiving this certificate designates the conclusion of the educational process.  It does not mean that this person is “certified” as a paralegal.   

CERTIFIED PARALEGAL
A certified paralegal is a paralegal that has completed a certification exam and has met specific requirements.  The requirements, in general, include: