Paralegal Blog

Since publishing our last article looking at the statistics of income and education for paralegals across the US, the data has changed slightly. In those four years, the average income for paralegals has risen, the demand for paralegals and legal assistants has remained steady, and the education paralegals are receiving has improved.

Originally in our 2012 article, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) had reported salary ranges for paralegals between $29,000 and $75,000 per year, with the median annual salary at right around $49,700. Today, the BLS reports that those salaries have risen, and the salary range for paralegals across the US is now $30,670 to $79,010. The BLS also reported that the average annual salary for paralegals has risen to about $52,390 per year.¹

California employs more paralegals than any other state, and the demand for qualified paralegals in California continues to grow.¹ Job demand isn't the only reason many decide to become a paralegal. Those who are attracted to the legal professions often hope to find a challenging and rewarding career in which they can make a difference. Being an attorney may be their ultimate goal, but becoming a paralegal first can prove to be a very wise decision. Compared to law school, paralegal programs take less time, are far less expensive, and tend to focus more on pratical matters such as conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and investigating the facts of a case. So, what are the requirements to work as a paralegal in California?

Jim Wiedemer is a real estate lawyer, teacher and writer.

“Yes, but which one is your favorite?” I ask. He can’t decide; he likes them all.

“Working as a lawyer helps me see how things actually work, which makes me a better teacher; teaching helps me fine-tune how I present a concept. The best writing comes from teaching because you get immediate feedback, and the writing makes me a better lawyer.”

Jim is a well-rounded individual.

Long-time Favorite Teacher

He was the second teacher hired by Center for Advanced Legal Studies in 1987, four months after the Center opened its doors. He has taught most legal classes, but these days, as he does in his practice and his writing, he focuses on real estate law.

Make sure the paralegal program contains at least 24 semester hours (38.4 CEUs) of skills-based paralegal training.

As a paralegal, you will work with attorneys who value higher education and have devoted a significant amount of time and expense to pursue a legal career. Your paralegal education will matter to them.

Is the program comprehensive enough to give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to work alongside an attorney? One way to make certain is to evaluate the program length to insure adequate attention is paid to critical subjects areas. Further, recognized authorities in paralegal education have established minimum standards regarding program length. The State of California requires “the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization” as one criteria for a person to call themselves a paralegal.¹

Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in the career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession.²

[Updated March 30, 2022]
The first step to becoming a paralegal is to get your degree or certificate from an accredited institution. Accreditation gives merit to any credential.

What is accreditation? The goal of accreditation is to ensure that institutions of higher education meet acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation in the United States involves non-governmental entities (accrediting organizations) as well as federal and state government agencies (these three entities are formally known as the Triad). Accreditation's quality assurance function is one of the three main elements of oversight governing the Higher Education Act's (HEA's) federal student aid programs. In order for students to receive federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education (Department) for postsecondary study, the institution must be accredited by a "nationally recognized" accrediting agency.¹