How to Determine the Salary Ranges and Benefits of a Paralegal
Paralegals work in law offices, side-by-side with attorneys, researching, reporting and filing. But, with salaries ranging between $26,000 and $40,000 annually, you can be assured the position can never be mistaken for that of an attorney.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Call the American Bar Association, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations or the National Association of Legal Assistants to get some current information on typical salaries and benefits in your area, or check out the Web pages of these organizations to get started on your research.
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Keep in mind that salaries in this field are greatly dependent upon your level of education, whether or not you are certified, what size law firm you are working for, and whether the office is located in a big city or a small town. Garnering higher salaries is usually easier at large corporate law firms in big cities rather than in the public defender's office at a state or local government level.
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Look up law firms near you in the phone book and give them a call. Many paralegals will be willing to share basic information about salary ranges, benefits and perks without getting too specific about their current employment situation.
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Be prepared for long hours during busy times, such as preparation for a big case or trial. While most paralegals are salaried and can't benefit from additional hourly or overtime pay, many companies reward efforts above and beyond the call of duty with bonuses or additional time off.
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Expect better-than-average benefits for this profession overall. Paralegals often enjoy a fully or partially paid health care plan, profit sharing, a 401K plan, paid vacations and sick days, and dental and vision care programs.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep up with the education and certification required to climb your career ladder in this field.
