Paralegal Salary

Paralegal Salary - How Much Can You Expect To Earn

Paralegal salary figures can extend across a wide range. Wage amounts depend on a set of variables. Some are under the paralegal's control such as are education, training and work experience. Another factor is the type of employer, especially the industry sector the employer belongs to.

Geographic location is another paralegal salary determinant. Typically, paralegals employed in major companies in larger urban areas make more than those working for smaller enterprises in the rural areas. A degree and advanced paralegal training certificates also mean higher pay.

What's The Hourly Rate Of The Paralegal Salary

A paralegal salary is not the only compensation these legal assistants receive. Obviously learning how to become a paralegal is important. Many also earn bonuses. Sometimes additional cash is paid for overtime work. Bonuses include vacations, sick leaves, life insurance and savings plans, medical/dental insurance and reimbursements for professional courses taken on the job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008, full-time paralegals earned an average annual salary of $46,120. Those in the middle 50 percent's wages were between $36,080 and $59,310. Those in the top ten percent earned more than $73,450. Those in the bottom 10 percent earned less than $29,260 annually.

In 2009, an estimated total of 246,810 were employed. The average hourly salary was $24.08. The average annual wage was $50,080. Those in the middle 50 percent made between $46,980 and $60,620. Those in the top ten percent earned $75,700. Paralegals in the bottom 10 percent earned less than $29,800 in a year. Clearly, paralegal salary figures have increased significantly in just a year.

The average yearly salaries for 2008 in the industries that hired the highest number of paralegals were as follows:

1. Those in the Federal Executive Branch earned $58,540.
2. Paralegals employed as management of companies were paid $55,910.
3. Paralegals working for insurance carriers made $52,200.
4. Those in employment services earned $50,050.
5. Paralegals working for legal services earned $44,480.

These are 2009 paralegal pay figures for sectors with the highest employment levels.

1. The highest numbers employed were in legal services at 179,350. They earned an average of $48,460 that year.
2. Paralegals in the Federal Executive Branch numbered 13,880, earning a yearly average of $62,570.
3. Those employed in local government were 13,250. They earned an average of $50,480.
4. Paralegals working for a State Government numbered 9,790, with an average salary of $44,160.
5. There were 6,000 paralegals employed in management positions of companies who were paid an average of $58,340.

The industries that paid the highest paralegal salaries in 2009 were:

• Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
• Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories
• Software Publishers
• Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
• Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing

Of these sectors, Software Publishers hired the highest number of paralegals. The States that hired the biggest number of paralegals with the highest paralegal pay scales were:

• District of Columbia
• West Virginia
• New York
• Delaware
• Connecticut

The States that paid the highest paralegal salary rates were:

• District of Columbia
• New York
• California
• Illinois
• Alaska

These paralegal salary figures are indicators that paralegal careers are a rapidly growing profession.

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