How to become a Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Official title: Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Also called: Immigration Paralegal, Law Associate, Legal Analyst, Legal Assistant, Legal Clerk, Legal Processing Assistant, Litigation Paralegal, Paralegal, Paralegal Specialist, Real Estate Paralegal
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.
Main tasks
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- 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 for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
How to become one
Paralegals and legal assistants typically need an associate's degree or certificate in paralegal studies to enter the occupation. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor's degree; others may consider candidates who have a high school diploma and experience.
Typical education to start: Associate's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Paralegal (Alternate Title: Paralegal Specialist).
- Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Legal Studies; Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $62,890 a year The middle half earn $50,340 to $80,080.
- About 404,900 people work in this job now, and about 403,800 are projected by 2035. (-0.3%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Paralegal or Legal Assistant?
Paralegals and legal assistants typically need an associate's degree or certificate in paralegal studies to enter the occupation. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor's degree; others may consider candidates who have a high school diploma and experience.
How much does a Paralegal or Legal Assistant earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $62,890 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $50,340 to $80,080.
Is a Paralegal or Legal Assistant a growing career in the US?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 404,900 people now and 403,800 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Paralegal or Legal Assistant?
Not always. 50% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Associate's degree; Paralegal (Alternate Title: Paralegal Specialist).
Will AI change the work of a Paralegal or Legal Assistant?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.