How valuable are paralegals to attorneys?
According to BestParalegalSchools.com, the salary range for paralegals is based upon education and experience. Entry level paralegals can expect an average salary of $45,000. Comparatively, a paralegal with eight years or more experience in the legal field, can earn up to 68,000. Paralegals with experience levels between entry level and eight years, would fall somewhere between this range.
Salary is also based upon education. It is important to obtain a degree from an ABA (American Bar Assoc.) approved education program. It is recommended that paralegals complete a two-year Associates' Degree program. This degree will give an entry level paralegal the skills needed to be successful in his or her career. Education beyond an Associates' Degree and/or a high level of experience would be needed for a Paralegal Manager. Salary is also based upon the type of employer and its location.
As experience in the field is gained, the paralegal is given more responsibility by the attorney. He or she is also expected to perform routine job duties with little or no supervision. A paralegal with this type of responsibility is a great asset to the attorney; therefore, he or she is compensated monetarily. Studies show that the most substantial increase in a paralegal's income is associated with experience. The highest paid paralegals are Paralegal Managers, with an average salary of $86,000.
As you can see, a competent, experienced paralegal is very valuable to an attorney.
http://www.bestparalegalschools.com/paralegal-career/paralegal-salary.html?src=trl_paralegal
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/home.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI was just reading your post regarding the salary of paralegals. I think this is great, however I would be interested in talking with some local paralegals to see in fact if those figures are true.
I work in a prosecutor's office, and I can tell you, our entry level attorneys make in the $40's. Paralegals fall quite a bit shy of the salary you listed. However, you can't beat the PERS retirement and even in a tough economy, our jobs feel fairly secure.
Thank you for the information, I truly think that it just depends on what type of paralegal job you are interested in. I think the trick is to get a foot in the door. Don't start out thinking that you are going to make any where near those figures. It's just not going to happen. Especially in today's economy.
I will leave you with this to consider: last summer, our office had an opening for a victim/witness advocate. Starting salary was $26,000.00. We had over 150 applicants, some being paralegals, and 2 attorneys. Be realistic when you are job searching.
Take care and check out my blog at gobusinessgreen.blogspot.com ~ Sandi Perry
Wow, the paralegal salary review is very uplifting. However, I feel that the entry level paralega will be far below the posted amounts. But, I can aspire to reach those salaries.
ReplyDeleteadh50