How much money do paralegals start off with?
Question by Marisa: How much money do paralegals start off with?
I am very interested in being a paralegal now. How much money do they start off with, having a bachelors degree? How long does it take to become a top of the line paralegal? Are they in high demand? Or any demand at all? What is their highest pay?
Best answer:
Answer by Prorkycake
I will preface with this slightly judgmental statement. I obviously do not know you and only know of you through this question which is solely about money. With that said, if salary is a major motivation in becoming a paralegal, do not become a paralegal.
How much money do we start off making? Usually $ 10-12 dollars an hour. Education is irrelevant when salary is concerned. You are paid based on experience in most situations. In other words, you will make what any first year paralegal makes regardless of education in most cases. Most attorneys I know pay based on experience. You may be more appealing because you possess a bachelor’s degree, but your lack of experience will null and void any over-the-top education. Salary increases are based on time and experience.
How long does it take to become a top of the line paralegal? I’d estimate at least six to ten years. Again, it is based on experience. The “top of the line” paralegals I know all have ten+ years of experience, are a Registered Paralegal, are a Certified Paralegal, and here in Texas, are Texas Board of Legal Specialization certified. You can’t even apply to TBLS without five years experience. I’ve been at this job awhile and no where consider myself “top of the line”. It takes many years to experience a myriad of legal issues and to learn how to respond.
Are they in high demand? Simple answer. No. Are there jobs? Yes. Are they easy to get? No.
What is the highest pay? Like everything in the legal field, it is dependent on the facts. The highest paid paralegal I know has 30+ years of experience, she is a RP, CP, and TBLS civil trial law certified paralegal. She disclosed her salary to me at our last meeting and she makes $ 85,000, equivalent to her firm’s first year associate attorneys. She is a “top of the line” paralegal that I look up to and is more capable than most 1st year attorneys I know. Why? Because of experience.
The reality? This is not a “get rich” field and I have run into many that have the misguided thought that a bachelor’s degree automatically gives them an advantage. While education is VERY important to many hiring attorneys, they will hire someone with experience before a degree. You have to put your time in, you have to be motivated to join paralegal associations, and you have to want more out of your profession than just becoming a “glorified” secretary. If your motivation is salary, this is not the field for you. If your motivation is because you want help people with their legal issues through the work of your supervising attorney, then this is the field for you. It is not an easy profession to enter and the pay never equals your capabilities. I can probably draft better lawsuits than some of the ones that come through our firm’s door, but I will never see the $ 100k that associate attorney gets paid in salary.
There is no glamor in working for a law firm. It is the same as working for any office setting. If you are a person that requires constant positive feedback, this is not the field for you. If the attorney taking credit for all your work will bother you, this is not the field for you. You will serve as personal assistant, adult babysitter, mediator, and be expected to know everything in the office. You are the first person they will track down if there is a problem and you will be expected to know how to fix it. This is the reality of the job. It isn’t for everyone. Make sure this is really what you want to do and your personality fits.
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