Paralegal Highest Salary:

The highest paid paralegals are employed by law firms, where they earn a median annual salary of $76,000. The lowest-paid paralegals work for the federal government, where they earn a median annual salary of $53,500.

Paralegals in the United States earn an average annual salary of $53,000, with the lowest-paid paralegals making $30,000 per year and the most highly compensated earning $89,000 annually.

Paralegals are one of the highest-paid workers in the nation, with a median salary of $51,000 per year. The highest-paying states for paralegals are Alaska, California, New York, and Texas.

Paralegal Highest Salary

12 of the Highest Paying Paralegal Jobs in 2022

The best Paralegal jobs can pay up to $112,500 per year.

A Paralegal works alongside Lawyers and has a knowledge of legal matters, but is not qualified to practice law. Paralegals provide a wide range of legal assistance and support to Attorneys in law firms, performing duties before, during, and after trials. On a given day, a Paralegal may spend time drafting legal documents, organizing files, and taking notes and transcripts for the attorneys they work for. They are often called upon to participate in trial research by interviewing witnesses, arranging evidence, and preparing exhibits. Paralegals must stay current on relevant laws, regulations, and legal articles in order to better assist their Attorneys.

A Paralegal must complete an accredited paralegal studies program and receive a certificate in paralegal studies. Most Paralegals have an associate degree and some may pursue a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in paralegal studies. It is recommended for aspiring Paralegals to gain employment experience in the legal field as legal secretaries or county clerks.

High Paying Paralegal Jobs

• Paralegal SupervisorSalary range: $60,000-$112,500 per yearThe majority of Paralegal Supervisor salaries across the United States currently range between $60,000 (25th percentile) and $112,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Paralegal Supervisor job market in the United States is moderately active, with several companies hiring.
• Legal AssociateSalary range: $43,000-$82,500 per yearA legal associate is a practicing junior attorney at a law firm who works on cases for clients, conducts legal research, and provides legal advice to clients. Other job duties include developing and implementing litigation strategies, supervising legal assistants and paralegals, and representing clients in court. The qualifications you need for a career as a legal associate include a bachelor’s degree and then a law degree from an accredited law school, a license to practice law through your state’s bar association, at least one year of experience working in a law firm, and excellent communication and collaborative skills.
• Courtroom Presentation SpecialistSalary range: $44,500-$77,500 per yearThe majority of Courtroom Presentation Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $44,500 (25th percentile) and $77,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Courtroom Presentation Specialist job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.
• Senior ParalegalSalary range: $52,500-$73,000 per yearA senior paralegal is a legal assistant with more knowledge and experience in the field than other paralegals in their department. As a senior paralegal, you are often given more complex job duties and can work more independently than other staff. You prepare legal documents under the guidance of an attorney, study the intricacies of various areas of law, and contact clients and other members of the justice system on behalf of the attorney when they are not present. You may also offer clients a quote for services and attend the trial when necessary. The qualifications for a paralegal include associate degree and passing a certification exam.
• Paralegal SpecialistSalary range: $39,500-$60,000 per yearA paralegal specialist is a specific type of paralegal who has enough job experience and qualifications to perform many of the same tasks as an attorney. As a paralegal specialist, you have the same job duties as other paralegals, such as researching case law and precedents and drafting motions and legal synopses, and you report your findings to the supervising attorney. Paralegal specialists also oversee other paralegals at the law firm. You may be a generalist or have a specialization, such as corporate or constitutional law.
• Certified ParalegalSalary range: $40,000-$56,000 per yearA certified paralegal performs delegated legal work for a lawyer or law firm and is certified by a professional paralegal association. As a certified paralegal, you handle similar administrative tasks as a non-certified paralegal but may also take on more managerial responsibilities. Your job duties include conducting legal research, drafting briefs, and reviewing legal records and other documents to support attorneys throughout a case. You may also consult with clients and help prepare for meetings or court proceedings.
• Junior ParalegalSalary range: $36,000-$51,500 per yearA junior paralegal is an entry-level employee who provides support services for a law firm or an attorney. Your job duties and the type of work you do may vary depending on your employer. You may perform research, prepare memorandums, or write summaries for cases. Educational qualifications include a paralegal certificate or an associate’s degree. Some lawyers prefer to hire paralegals with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. If you have experience and demonstrate your skills, an attorney may delegate more tasks to you. To fully practice law, however, you must attend law school to become a licensed attorney.
• Legal TechnicianSalary range: $33,500-$51,000 per yearA legal technician is a legal professional who assists lawyers throughout the process of handling a legal situation. People in this role go through a paraprofessional program but cannot represent clients in court. A legal technician is a unique professional within the legal system that can own law firms and guide clients to find the appropriate materials for their state but is not a licensed attorney.
• Appeals SpecialistSalary range: $37,000-$48,000 per yearThe majority of Appeals Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $37,000 (25th percentile) and $48,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Appeals Specialist job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
• Legal AssistantSalary range: $32,000-$45,500 per yearLegal assistants help lawyers with their casework, and tasks will vary depending of the size of the firm. Jobs of a legal assistant may include making phone calls, writing emails, researching case facts, organizing documents, and gathering evidence.
• Entry Level ParalegalSalary range: $33,500-$43,000 per yearAn entry-level paralegal performs research and provides legal support to attorneys. As an entry-level paralegal, your job is to assist one or more attorneys at your firm with a variety of legal research and administrative tasks. You prepare and file legal documents, handle communication with clients, and study statutes and precedents in the law. If the attorneys at the law firm you work for specialize in a particular area of the law, then you must familiarize yourself with the specifics of that legal subspecialty, such as personal injury, family law, criminal defense, corporate law, and estate and probate law.
• Appeals RepresentativeSalary range: $30,000-$40,000 per yearAppeals representatives review and process medical policies, grievances, and denials of medical claims. As an appeals representative, your duties are to review each complaint and denial, contact customers to gather details of their case, document the process as it moves through the system, provide a report regarding case statistics, and prepare for appeal hearings. You are also responsible for analyzing the policy connected with a claim to determine company liability. All cases need documentation for final case determination.