Is It Worth It To Become a Paralegal in 2024?

What Exactly Is a Paralegal?

Paralegals and legal assistants are professionals who work behind the scenes on a variety of tasks that support lawyers. A paralegal may work in private law firms, in non-profit organizations, within a government agency, or in many other environments.

What Does the Day-to-Day Look Like for a Paralegal?

While no two paralegals have the exact same daily routine, most people in the paralegal profession serve functions such as: helping with trial prep, drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and communicating with clients. Paralegals are not licensed to practice law, but they perform many tasks to prepare and organize legal processes.

What is the Job Market for Paralegals Today?

Salary Info

As of 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median pay for paralegals was $29.31 per hour. Higher salaries are possible based on location, education, and experience.

Current Demand and Trends

Demand for paralegals and legal assistants is on the rise, as law firms find more and more ways to leverage paralegals’ skills and give them more responsibility, freeing up lawyers to do the specific work they are licensed to do. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of paralegals to grow 14% through 2031 — faster than the national average.

Paralegal Job Satisfaction

Professionals who are detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, and passionate about law are most likely to find immense job satisfaction as paralegals and legal assistants. The paralegal profession consistently ranks as a coveted job due to factors such as positive work environments, low stress levels, opportunities for growth, and flexible work-life balance — plus, paralegals make a positive impact in the world.

How Do You Become a Paralegal?

Step #1: Complete your paralegal education!

If your focus is on earning higher salaries, you’ll want to enter the field with a strong education. It is important to earn your associate degree or bachelor’s degree from a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). You can also earn a post-associate or post-baccalaureate certificate if your studies are in another field; these post-degree programs requires one additional year of study, but puts you on a track to success.

Many students prefer a fully-online program, such as the University of Cincinnati’s online Associate or Bachelor of Applied Business in Law & Paralegal Studies; flexible programs such as these make it possible for you to study while also raising a family or continuing employment.

Step #2: Which type of law is right for you?

Paralegals and legal assistants work in every corner of law, including family law, real estate, corporate law, and beyond. Take the time to understand which area of the legal profession interests you the most — when the time comes to apply for internships and jobs, this step will be key.

Step #3: Will you pursue paralegal certification? (Optional!)

Perhaps you already have paralegal experience. In this case, you can earn professional certification after just a year of on-the-job training. Graduation from a paralegal certificate program can help you stand out against other candidates, and can qualify you for more advanced roles in the legal field.

Common paralegal certifications include: the CP exam (Certified Paralegal), the PP (Professional Paralegal), the PCCE (Paralegal CORE Competency Exam), and the AACP (American Alliance Certified Paralegal).

Step #4: Be sure to meet state-level paralegal requirements

The laws of every state are different, and a good paralegal will be very comfortable with the specific laws of the state or states where they work. Law firms may even have requirements for exams and certifications that are state-specific; inquire within each law firm you apply to, to be certain.

Step #5: Time to earn real-world paralegal experience

Though you’ll certainly earn real-world experience after you find a job, it can be useful to get your foot in the door beforehand as well. You can gain this experience as a law firm’s volunteer, intern, or secretary, and some paralegal studies programs can guide you through finding the right training for your specific interests and career goals.

Step #6: Interview and work toward your career goals!

With your education and experience in hand, you now have the chance to begin your career as a paralegal. Of course, you may continue your education in order to gain higher earning potential and higher level responsibilities – the choice is yours!

What Are the Requirements to Become a Paralegal?

In order to become a paralegal, it is beneficial to have strong communication skills, the ability to multitask, and a high attention to detail. Other recommended skills include writing, organizing, communicating with clients, and working well with others, as paralegals tend to operate within a larger team.

How Long Does It Take?

If you already hold an associate degree or bachelor degree in another field, you may consider a post-degree certificate for one additional year of study. Otherwise, programs like the University of Cincinnati’s online Associate or Bachelor of Applied Business in Law & Paralegal Studies tend to require 2-4 years of study, done completely online and on your own schedule. Our program can be completed full- or part-time as well, for additional flexibility.

Kickstart Your Paralegal Career Today with UC Online

University of Cincinnati’s online Associate or Bachelor of Applied Business in Law & Paralegal Studies are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), which ensures that our program meets the standards of today’s legal sector. Because our program is entirely online, it is built to work for you — a professional with a busy life outside of school.

Our program also adapts to your career goals: if you begin with the Associate degree and choose to further your education with the Bachelor degree, we make that transition seamless for you.

Speaking of career goals, if you are interested in entering law school, you may also find it useful to first obtain a degree in paralegal studies. Our graduates learn practical skills and legal vocabulary that translate very well to entering law school.

Whether you’re ready to apply today or want to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out to the UC team for fast, personalized help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming a Paralegal

What is the best degree for a paralegal?

Depending on your career goals, an Associate or Bachelor of Applied Business in Law & Paralegal Studies will set you up perfectly for a career as a paralegal.

What is the beginning salary for most paralegals?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in May 2023 the median annual wage for paralegals was $60,970. Paralegals may enjoy other benefits such as flexible schedules, insurance, profit sharing, tuition reimbursement, retirement accounts, and much more.