The Bureau of Labor Statistics published their new handbook in March 2012 regarding Paralegal and Legal Assistants wages along with the anticipated growth in jobs from 2010-2020. For a quick summary I have attached their quick facts summary below.
Summary
Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support their attorneys.
| Quick Facts: Paralegals and Legal Assistants | |
|---|---|
| 2010 Median Pay | $46,680 per year $22.44 per hour |
| Entry-Level Education | Associate’s degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2010 | 256,000 |
| Job Outlook, 2010-20 | 18% (About as fast as average) |
| Employment Change, 2010-20 | 46,900 |
To see the Handbook, click here.
O’Net Information on Paralegals
O’Net shows a difference in the projected job openings during this same 10 year period of almost almost double.
National
| Median wages (2011) | $22.47 hourly, $46,730 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 256,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) |  Average (10% to 19%) |
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 83,400 |
| Top industries (2010) |
In California, O’Net shows a projected increase of 18% in job openings from 2010-2020, from 28,300 jobs to 33,800. The median wage in California for a paralegal now is $58,100 with a high wage of $90,100.
O’Net also has extensive information regarding the tasks that paralegals perform as well as the tools and technology paralegals use, the knowledge needed, the skills, abilities, work activities, and work context. To see more of O’Net’s information, click here.
According to both the Bureau of Labor Statistics and O’Net, the increase in jobs in the paralegal field is in the average range. Good news for those who are considering the paralegal field!
