Also called: Legal Assistant, Litigation Paralegal
Does the research, document prep, and organizing that lets lawyers handle cases.
A paralegal might draft a court filing in the morning, summarize a 300-page deposition, then organize thousands of exhibits for trial. On trial days they sit behind the lawyer passing documents. It's the fastest way into legal work without law school.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies; many have a bachelor's.
Ways in: 2-year college, Certification, 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, English.
Growing slowly (about 0% over 10 years). BLS 2024-34 projects little or no change.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI drafts filings, summarizes depositions and organizes documents, the core junior work; fewer paralegals likely needed per lawyer.
Classes: AP English Language, AP U.S. Government, Computer applications, Keyboarding.
Official data: O*NET occupation 23-2011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.