Legal Occupations·SOC 23-2011

Best degree programs for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, ranked by enrollment

2 college programs and 593 schools train Paralegals and Legal Assistants. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $62,890 median wage, 392,880 U.S. jobs. Federal data.

2 college programs at 593 schools train paralegals and legal assistants, graduating 13,895 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Legal Assistant/Paralegal. The job pays a median of $62,890 (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Graduates / yr
13,895
from every feeder program
Median annual wage
$62,890
BLS OEWS May 2025
Projected growth
+0.2%
Little or no change
Openings / yr
39,300
new plus replacement
Schools
593
with a feeder program
States with jobs
50
BLS reports wages

About paralegals and legal assistants

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.

Also calledParalegalLegal ClerkLegal AssistantParalegal SpecialistLegal AideLaw AssociateLegal AnalystSummer AssociateContract PreparerDocument ProcessorCertified ParalegalCorporate Paralegal

Fields of study that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.

Legal Professions And Studies
CIP 22.03
Legal Support Services
9,640graduates / yr
462 schools · 1 specialization · 69.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $37,542
Legal Professions And Studies
CIP 22.00
Non-Professional Legal Studies
4,255graduates / yr
183 schools · 1 specialization · 30.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $39,558

2 degree programs that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
1
Legal Assistant/Paralegalmain feeder
CIP 22.0302
9,640
69.4%
462$37,542$25,166
2
Legal Studiesmain feeder
CIP 22.0000
4,255
30.6%
183$39,558$25,252

Top 50 schools by graduates into this job

Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad rateNet priceAcceptance
1Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN Public · 2 feeder programs
309Legal Assistant/Paralegal40%——
2University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
241Legal Studies78%—40%
3Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
221Legal Assistant/Paralegal65%$28,91199%
4Center for Advanced Legal Studies
Houston, TX Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
212Legal Assistant/Paralegal62%$10,957—
5University of Georgia
Athens, GA Public · 1 feeder programs
211Legal Studies90%—38%
6American Public University System
Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · 2 feeder programs
207Legal Studies57%$10,199—
7Bryant & Stratton College - Online
Orchard Park, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
206Legal Assistant/Paralegal23%$14,394—
8University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley, CA Public · 1 feeder programs
201Legal Studies93%—11%
9Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
176Legal Assistant/Paralegal31%——
10East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
174Legal Assistant/Paralegal37%——
11Post University
Waterbury, CT Private for-profit · 2 feeder programs
167Legal Assistant/Paralegal25%$14,659—
12University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs
150Legal Studies68%—86%
13University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH Public · 2 feeder programs
130Legal Assistant/Paralegal75%—85%
14St. John's University - New York
Queens, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
124Legal Studies66%$27,35983%
15CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
New York, NY Public · 1 feeder programs
122Legal Studies56%—57%
16Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN Public · 1 feeder programs
122Legal Assistant/Paralegal50%——
17University of San Diego
San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
120Legal Assistant/Paralegal84%$26,03552%
18Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs
117Legal Studies68%—90%
19University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs
117Legal Studies85%—39%
20University of California - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA Public · 1 feeder programs
114Legal Studies75%—66%
21College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
108Legal Assistant/Paralegal45%——
22University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD Public · 1 feeder programs
108Legal Studies33%——
23University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI Public · 1 feeder programs
100Legal Studies90%—45%
24Houston City College
Houston, TX Public · 1 feeder programs
98Legal Assistant/Paralegal17%——
25Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
97Legal Assistant/Paralegal61%$35,48397%
26Crestpoint University
Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · 2 feeder programs
96Legal Assistant/Paralegal33%$15,215—
27Fresno City College
Fresno, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
95Legal Assistant/Paralegal24%——
28University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY Public · 1 feeder programs
95Legal Studies75%—74%
29University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Amherst, MA Public · 1 feeder programs
91Legal Studies83%—60%
30San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
89Legal Assistant/Paralegal48%——
31American River College
Sacramento, CA Public · 1 feeder programs
87Legal Assistant/Paralegal37%——
32Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
87Legal Assistant/Paralegal48%——
33The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, TX Public · 1 feeder programs
86Legal Studies53%—87%
34Rasmussen University - Minnesota
St. Cloud, MN Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
80Legal Assistant/Paralegal53%$19,944—
35West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
79Legal Assistant/Paralegal28%——
36Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
74Legal Assistant/Paralegal29%——
37Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
72Legal Assistant/Paralegal57%—63%
38Hillsborough College
Tampa, FL Public · 1 feeder programs
72Legal Assistant/Paralegal34%——
39National University
San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
72Legal Assistant/Paralegal43%$31,817—
40Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
71Legal Assistant/Paralegal60%$20,98188%
41Auburn University
Auburn, AL Public · 1 feeder programs
69Legal Studies82%—46%
42De Anza College
Cupertino, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
68Legal Assistant/Paralegal68%——
43Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ Public · 2 feeder programs
66Legal Assistant/Paralegal14%——
44San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
65Legal Studies35%——
45Bryan University
Tempe, AZ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs
62Legal Assistant/Paralegal41%$22,877—
46Dallas College
Dallas, TX Public · 1 feeder programs
62Legal Assistant/Paralegal32%——
47Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX Public · 1 feeder programs
62Legal Assistant/Paralegal21%——
48Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
62Legal Assistant/Paralegal73%$33,45482%
49Clayton State University
Morrow, GA Public · 1 feeder programs
61Legal Assistant/Paralegal40%—68%
50Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA Public · 2 feeder programs
60Legal Assistant/Paralegal36%——

What paralegals and legal assistants earn

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual wage
$62,890
Mean annual
$69,700
Median hourly
$30.24/hr
People employed
392,880
What the range looks like
10th pct$44,740Median$62,89090th pct$101,500

Top-paying metro areas

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$99,250median
2,030 jobs
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$84,030median
7,630 jobs
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
$92,900median
6,310 jobs
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
$81,590median
12,990 jobs
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
$80,500median
3,740 jobs
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
$79,850median
6,300 jobs
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
$78,550median
2,590 jobs
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
$75,330median
33,850 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
+0.2%
Little or no change
Openings per year
39,300
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
600
376,200 → 376,800
Typical entry education
Associate's degree

Where the jobs are, state by state

Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.

This occupation state by state: pay, jobs, and schools
StateMedian payJobsConcentrationSchoolsGraduates / yr
California$77,39047,1301.02×782,732
New York$68,41034,2201.40×411,091
Texas$62,31029,5400.83×381,078
Florida$61,00040,9501.63×30952
Arizona$61,6307,8900.96×15648
Indiana$57,0305,9100.73×7492
Georgia$62,40014,1601.15×18478
Virginia$63,99010,2500.99×17472
Illinois$63,67014,1300.92×26447
Ohio$60,4209,2700.66×18347
North Carolina$57,50013,6501.09×22318
Maryland$65,6406,4600.93×13304
Wisconsin$58,5004,7800.64×15296
Pennsylvania$63,37014,6700.96×24275
Connecticut$63,8205,2101.21×6274
Washington$79,4009,4601.05×9270
Massachusetts$77,6407,8000.85×14266
Minnesota$75,5707,4000.99×9246
West Virginia$59,0001,6600.93×7244
Michigan$62,1707,7300.69×14227
Colorado$78,1905,6200.77×10203
Mississippi$46,1802,2700.77×13189
South Carolina$53,8807,4201.27×10189
Kentucky$59,8303,5400.70×10186
New Jersey$71,50012,0101.11×17173
Tennessee$58,8206,0800.73×11160
Alabama$47,2605,7001.07×8144
Missouri$61,4107,1300.96×9121
Iowa$54,5502,9800.76×6109
Oklahoma$53,1703,1100.72×8109
District of Columbia$89,7506,4003.61×5106
Louisiana$60,2504,8901.00×692
Nebraskamoderate$63,2501,6300.63×386
Kansas$55,0002,2100.61×671
Nevadamoderate$64,6803,6200.92×366
Oregonlimited$61,4904,8700.98×260
Mainelimited$62,4201,2100.75×254
Arkansasmoderate$47,4201,6100.49×442
Utahmoderate$63,2203,2500.74×442
Delawaremoderate$63,1102,4802.03×340
New Hampshire$62,0401,4300.83×632
Alaskamoderate$68,7005700.69×327
New Mexico$59,8401,7400.79×526
Rhode Islandmoderate$56,2502,0701.63×324
Hawaiilimited$62,8401,1700.74×121
Idahomoderate$49,6902,0300.94×418
Wyominglimited$49,4906000.84×217
South Dakotalimited$58,3206000.52×211
Montanalimited$57,2901,0100.78×26
North Dakotalimited$59,4307300.67×13

Skills and tools

From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.

What they do day to day

  • 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.
  • File pleadings with court clerks.
  • Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.

Skills

  • Writing4.0
  • Active Listening3.9
  • Reading Comprehension3.9
  • Speaking3.6
  • Critical Thinking3.3
  • Monitoring3.0
  • Active Learning3.0
  • Learning Strategies2.3

Knowledge areas

  • Law and Government4.8
  • English Language4.4
  • Administrative4.2
  • Computers and Electronics3.9
  • Customer and Personal Service3.6
  • Administration and Management3.3

Abilities

  • Written Comprehension4.0
  • Oral Expression3.9
  • Oral Comprehension3.9
  • Written Expression3.9
  • Speech Clarity3.8
  • Near Vision3.8

Core activities

  • Documenting/Recording Information4.4
  • Working with Computers4.4
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization4.3
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.3
  • Getting Information4.3
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.1

Tools and technology

hotmarks an O*NET hot technology
Adobe AcrobathotGoogle DocshotGoogle Workspace softwarehotIntuit QuickBookshotMicrosoft AccesshotMicrosoft ExcelhotMicrosoft Office softwarehotMicrosoft OutlookhotMicrosoft PowerPointhotMicrosoft Projecthot

How to get in

How to become a Paralegal

Job zone 3 of 5 · SVP 6.0 to < 7.0
Typical entry education
Associate's degree

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 2 majors mapped to Paralegals and Legal Assistants2 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 22.0000Legal Studies
  • 22.0302Legal Assistant/Paralegal

Related careers

Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.

43-6012
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
$55,570156,280 jobs-5.8%
23-2093
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
$58,65048,580 jobs+2.0%
27-3092
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
$72,42012,870 jobs-0.3%
43-6014
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
$47,5401,706,790 jobs-1.6%
43-6011
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
$76,590459,910 jobs-1.6%
43-4061
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
$54,210154,800 jobs+1.0%

Common questions

What degree do you need to become a Paralegal?+

Associate's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Legal Assistant/Paralegal, which awarded 9,640 degrees in 2024-25, 69.4% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming a Paralegal?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 2 programs to this occupation. The largest are Legal Support Services, Non-Professional Legal Studies. Together they graduate about 13,895 people a year.

How much do paralegals and legal assistants earn?+

The median is $62,890 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $44,740 at the 10th percentile to $101,500 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for paralegals and legal assistants growing?+

BLS projects a +0.2% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 39,300 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career?+

593 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 2 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do paralegals and legal assistants work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Paralegal, Legal Clerk, Legal Assistant, Paralegal Specialist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 23-2011.

↑ Zoom outAll occupationsLegal Occupations
Paralegals and Legal Assistants by stateCaliforniaNew YorkTexasFloridaArizonaIndianaGeorgiaVirginiaIllinoisOhioNorth CarolinaMaryland
Related careersLegal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsTitle Examiners, Abstractors, and SearchersCourt Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersSecretaries and Administrative AssistantsExecutive Secretaries and Executive Administrative AssistantsEligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
Programs that lead hereLegal Support ServicesNon-Professional Legal Studies

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

  • BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics

    May 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

    Official source →

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.

    Official source →

  • IPEDS Completions

    2024-25 (provisional)

    Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.

    Official source →

  • College Scorecard, Field of Study

    2020-21 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

    Official source →

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

    Official source →

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

    Official source →

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.

    Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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