What This Job Pays: paralegal

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June 25, 2007

What This Job Pays: paralegal

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Pay: The average annual salary of a paralegal in the Seattle area is $44,600, with most making from $39,200 to $49,300, according to PayScale, a Seattle company that tracks compensation and benefits.

Demand: While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many tasks to paralegals. Paralegals – also called legal assistants – continue to assume a growing range of tasks in legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. Nevertheless, they are prohibited from carrying out duties that are considered to be the practice of law. Employment for paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations in coming years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employers are trying to reduce costs and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals for tasks formerly carried out by lawyers.

Need to know: The most common way to become a paralegal is through a community-college program that leads to an associate's degree. The other common method of entry, mainly for those who have a college degree, is through a program that leads to a certification in paralegal studies. A few schools also offer bachelor's and master's degrees in paralegal studies. Some employers train paralegals on the job.

PayScale, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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