First, let me say Happy New Year! I took a look at the California Labor Market Info today and found that paralegal jobs will increase over the next six years by 6,500, or 26.3% in California. As a paralegal, this is good to hear.
The other interesting tidbit in this research, was that there are over 60,000 employers in California who employ paralegals. Also of interest, is that paralegals earn on average $27.63 an hour, with the top hourly earnings of $33.60. These figures do not take into consideration benefits and employer taxes though.
As a paralegal who was laid off in 2009, I believe that employers are not going to be paying the high wages as California has one of the highest cost of living indexes. For employers to continue to use paralegals, and they must in order to succeed, I believe that contract paralegals or virtual paralegals will be utilized more and more by attorneys.
As many of you know, I began my own virtual paralegal business this year, Virtual Legal Consultants. Marketing and getting this business off the ground has been challenging and fun. I look forward to the new year and the growth and change of our legal arena.
Is it true that Paralegals in California are required to pass/have additional certification, above and beyond schooling? For example, I have a Bachelors Degree in Paralegal Studies, but have not yet taken the NALA CP exam. Could someone such as myself get hired in California (assuming the job market rebounds!)?
Thanks for your help!
Megan
California paralegals are not required to be certified at this time. A Paralegal certificate is the recommended educational requirement to be hired in the field. Paralegals are required to have 4 hours of Legal Ethics MCLE every 3 years and 4 hours of General Law or in a specialized area of law MCLE every 2 years. The MCLE is not reported to any legislative branch, but given to the attorney you are currently working under. Attorneys may be requested by the California State Bar to provide proof that their paralegal(s) are in compliance with MCLE hours. I personally take as many MCLE classes as I can each year so that I am always in compliance and then some. Hope this helps answer your question. I also hope that California’s job market bounces back soon. Please feel free to ask any other questions.