Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Paralegal or Legal Assistant Many paralegals and legal assistants have an associate’s degree or a certificate in paralegal studies. 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.
Education
Prospective paralegals have several paths to enter the occupation. A common path is for candidates to earn an associate’s degree in paralegal studies from a postsecondary institution. Some employers prefer or require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree. Many of these candidates major in a subject such as social science or business and earn a certificate in paralegal studies. Programs in paralegal studies, which are offered at various education levels, are typically accredited by professional organizations. These programs usually include courses in legal research, legal writing, and an introduction to law and the legal system. They also include courses in specific areas, such as criminal, family, or contract law. Employers sometimes hire candidates who have no legal experience or legal education and train them on the job.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Although not required, some employers prefer or require candidates to have completed a paralegal certification program. Certification typically requires passage of an examination. To sit for the exam, candidates must meet eligibility requirements for educational attainment and work experience. Maintaining certification typically requires completion of a specified number of hours of continuing education.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to decline 0 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 40,800 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Law firms are expected to continue to be the largest employer of paralegals and legal assistants, as these workers are needed to help prepare and organize legal documents. However, demand for these workers is expected to be limited by advances in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are expected to make paralegals and legal assistants more efficient at tasks such as conducting research and preparing documents, which may reduce demand for these workers. Paralegals and Legal Assistants Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Paralegals and legal assistants 0% Legal support workers 0% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Paralegals and Legal Assistants Do
Paralegals and legal assistants support lawyers by performing a variety of tasks, such as maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents.
Duties
Paralegals and legal assistants typically do the following:
- Investigate and gather the facts of a case
- Research laws, regulations, and legal articles that are relevant to a case
- Gather, organize, and maintain legal documents
- Draft correspondence and legal documents, such as confirmation letters and contracts
- Obtain affidavits and other formal statements that may be used as evidence in court
- Help lawyers during trials with tasks such as handling exhibits, taking notes, or reviewing trial transcripts
- File exhibits, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents with the appropriate court, government agency, or opposing counsel
- Call clients, witnesses, lawyers, and others to schedule interviews, meetings, and depositions
Paralegals and legal assistants help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and other proceedings. For example, they may conduct legal research, write reports and other documents, and file materials related to trials or cases.
Specific duties for paralegals and legal assistants may vary depending on the area, such as bankruptcy or intellectual property, or type of law in which they work. For example, in litigation, paralegals and legal assistants may help lawyers to prepare for trial, such as by researching case law and drafting documents, and to coordinate trial logistics, including by transporting exhibits to the courtroom and setting up equipment.
Paralegals’ and legal assistants’ roles also may vary based on the size of the firm that employs them. In small firms, for example, they may work on all aspects of a case from beginning to end. In larger firms, they may work on a particular phase of a case, such as helping to prepare witnesses for deposition or trial.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Paralegals and legal assistants held about 404,900 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of paralegals and legal assistants were as follows:
| Legal services | 75% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 5 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 4 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 3 |
| Finance and insurance | 3 |
Paralegals and legal assistants often work on teams with attorneys and other legal support staff.
Paralegals and legal assistants work primarily in offices. Occasional travel may be required, such as to accompany attorneys to depositions or trials.
Their work may be stressful because it can be fast paced, and they may be required to work on multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
Work Schedules
Most paralegals and legal assistants work full time.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Paralegals and legal assistants must be able to effectively document and present their research and related information to attorneys. Detail oriented. Paralegals and legal assistants need to be precise in gathering, organizing, and filing documents and other information related to a case. Interpersonal skills. Paralegals and legal assistants spend most of their time with clients and colleagues. They must be able to develop relationships and work well as part of a team. Organizational skills. Paralegals and legal assistants may be responsible for many cases at one time. They must be able to keep track of documents and adapt quickly to changing deadlines. Research skills. Paralegals and legal assistants need to gather facts of a case and study relevant laws in order to help attorneys prepare for it.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about paralegals and legal assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.