Paralegal
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is a Paralegal?
Paralegals assist attorneys by conducting legal research, drafting documents, organizing case files, and preparing for trials and closings. They work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. While no state requires a license to work as a paralegal, many employers prefer candidates with an associate's or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a certificate from an ABA-approved program.
The Landscape
The paralegal profession presents a broad national landscape, with median salaries varying dramatically from Mississippi's $39,120 to a high of $99,300 in the District of Columbia. While the national median sits at $61,010, the profession's modest 0.2% growth and a moderate AI exposure score of 1.29 suggest a stable but evolving environment, where regional economic factors heavily influence compensation.
Crucially, no state mandates a license for traditional paralegals, which means entry pathways are less standardized than in many other professions. This absence of mandatory state licensing does not equate to a lack of professional standards; states like California regulate the use of the "paralegal" title, and several states (e.g., Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Minnesota) are pioneering new "Limited License Legal Technician" or "Legal Paraprofessional" roles that broaden access to legal services, distinct from the traditional paralegal function.
Paralegal by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | $46,060 | -24.5% | — |
| Alaska | No | $61,120 | +0.2% | — |
| Arizona | Yes | $61,220 | +0.3% | — |
| Arkansas | No | $46,940 | -23.1% | — |
| California | No | $72,960 | +19.6% | — |
| Colorado | No | $73,380 | +20.3% | — |
| Connecticut | No | $63,260 | +3.7% | — |
| Delaware | No | $60,000 | -1.7% | Varies depending on education and experience pathway |
| District of Columbia | No | $99,300 | +62.8% | Not applicable (No mandatory licensing) |
| Florida | No | $60,280 | -1.2% | — |
| Georgia | No | $55,120 | -9.7% | — |
| Hawaii | No | $60,890 | -0.2% | — |
| Idaho | No | $54,020 | -11.5% | Not applicable for state licensing |
| Illinois | No | $62,290 | +2.1% | — |
| Indiana | No | $50,690 | -16.9% | — |
| Iowa | No | $53,280 | -12.7% | Varies by education path (e.g., certificate programs 6-12 months, associate's 2 years, bachelor's 4 years) |
| Kansas | No | $48,910 | -19.8% | — |
| Kentucky | No | $49,000 | -19.7% | Not specified (exam is 2 hours) |
| Louisiana | No | $47,580 | -22.0% | Not specified |
| Maine | No | $58,510 | -4.1% | — |
| Maryland | No | $63,560 | +4.2% | Varies by education and experience |
| Massachusetts | No | $74,990 | +22.9% | Not specified for mandatory requirements; certificate programs typically 6-12 months |
| Michigan | No | $61,490 | +0.8% | Not applicable for state requirements (voluntary national certifications vary) |
| Minnesota | No | $67,320 | +10.3% | Varies significantly based on education and experience. |
| Mississippi | No | $39,120 | -35.9% | — |
| Missouri | No | $58,730 | -3.7% | — |
| Montana | No | $54,230 | -11.1% | Not specified (varies based on education and experience pathway) |
| Nebraska | No | $61,410 | +0.7% | Not specified |
| Nevada | No | $62,090 | +1.8% | Not specified |
| New Hampshire | No | $60,640 | -0.6% | Not specified (certificate programs can be 6-12 months, associate degrees typically 2 years) |
| New Jersey | No | $62,790 | +2.9% | — |
| New Mexico | No | $56,620 | -7.2% | Not specified |
| New York | No | $66,390 | +8.8% | Varies depending on education and experience |
| North Carolina | No | $49,390 | -19.0% | — |
| North Dakota | No | $59,910 | -1.8% | Not specified (depends on education and experience pathway) |
| Ohio | No | $58,870 | -3.5% | Not specified |
| Oklahoma | No | $50,200 | -17.7% | — |
| Oregon | Yes | $63,970 | +4.9% | Not specified, but experience hours must be completed within 18-36 months prior to application depending on the pathway. |
| Pennsylvania | No | $60,950 | -0.1% | — |
| Rhode Island | No | $54,540 | -10.6% | — |
| South Carolina | No | $48,640 | -20.3% | Varies (dependent on national certification and renewal cycle) |
| South Dakota | No | $57,300 | -6.1% | Not specified (varies by education/experience pathway) |
| Tennessee | No | $55,270 | -9.4% | Varies (e.g., 12 months for some online courses, 14 weeks for others) |
| Texas | No | $59,700 | -2.1% | — |
| Utah | Yes | $55,630 | -8.8% | Not specified |
| Vermont | No | $63,000 | +3.3% | Not applicable |
| Virginia | No | $61,200 | +0.3% | Varies depending on education and experience pathway |
| Washington | No | $78,010 | +27.9% | — |
| West Virginia | No | $49,620 | -18.7% | Not applicable for state licensing. Voluntary national certifications vary. |
| Wisconsin | No | $56,520 | -7.4% | — |
| Wyoming | No | $49,980 | -18.1% | — |
Highest-Paying States for Paralegals
| # | State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $99,300 | 5,880 |
| 2 | Washington | $78,010 | 9,070 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $74,990 | 7,520 |
| 4 | Colorado | $73,380 | 5,430 |
| 5 | California | $72,960 | 45,740 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $67,320 | 6,640 |
| 7 | New York | $66,390 | 28,510 |
| 8 | Oregon | $63,970 | 4,910 |
| 9 | Maryland | $63,560 | 5,770 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $63,260 | 4,920 |