Paralegal Salaries

 

Paralegal Salaries

For those who are interested in becoming a paralegal, there are many great positions that you can get, whether working for a small private firm, or a larger firm which employs hundreds (if not thousands) of attorneys world wide. And, depending on the type of educational training you have, and whether or not you get certified in a particular area of law, the paralegal salaries you can expect to earn are going to vary, based on a variety of factors. Therefore, if you are considering becoming a paralegal, although no BA degree is required, there are certain requirements such as becoming licensed, in order to work for a law firm which should be considered.

The paralegal salaries are going to vary based on many factors. These include: how large the firm is (private practice or large firms), the type of law the firm does, the certification you have attained as a paralegal (whether you have the basic certification, or whether you have chosen to get certified in a specific area of law, and received a BA in legal studies), how long you have been a paralegal, your research skills, etiquette, and of course where the firm is located, are all factors that play a role in the paralegal salaries one can expect to earn.

The biggest indicator to your salary is your certification, and whether or not you have a specific type of certification in the type of law that your firm deals with. For example, those who work in forensics, or deal with several experts will find that they can earn a much higher salary (anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 more annually), if they are certified in those fields. So, if the paralegal is capable of interviewing the specialists, going out in the field and collecting data, doing the industry specific research, and dealing those difficult and challenging tasks, they will earn far more than those who hold a basic paralegal certificate, allowing them to work in any firm.

The size of the firm, where it is located, and how many attorneys you work with are also some of the things that will play a role in the salary one can earn in their position. The bigger the firm, and the more responsibility one has, the higher their earnings. Additionally, if the firm deals with several clients, with varying types of legal matter, the paralegals will generally earn more than those in a smaller firm. The location of the firm is also a huge factor in pay rates. The paralegal salaries you will earn in New York City is far higher than that of Bloomington, IN. So, considering these factors will also help in determining where to work, and what type of certification to attain prior to applying for various positions as a paralegal.

There are many factors which play a role in the paralegal salaries you can expect to earn, and the salaries are going to vary from law firm to law firm, depending on these many factors which paralegals must consider prior to applying with a particular firm.