A paralegal helps lawyers by investigating the facts of a case, researching the law, drafting documents, organizing files and preparing for hearings and trials.
It is a detail-driven legal support career, and most paralegals start with an associate’s degree or a paralegal certificate.
This guide explains what paralegals do each day, the skills and requirements employers expect, what the work is like, what paralegals earn and how to get hired in the United States.
All numbers come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET unless noted.
Quick jump: Daily dutiesSkillsRequirementsQualificationsWork environmentPayOutlookCareer pathHow to get hiredJob facts
Paralegal Daily Duties and Responsibilities
Duties change by practice area and firm size. In small firms, paralegals may handle all phases of a case, and in larger firms they may handle one phase.
| Part of the day | Typical duties |
|---|---|
| Start of day | Check email and the attorneys’ calendars, review deadlines and filings due and plan the day’s cases |
| Case work | Meet with clients and other professionals, request and review records and summarize them for the attorney |
| Research | Search statutes, decisions, regulations and legal articles and report what you find to the attorney |
| Drafting | Prepare, edit or review legal documents such as correspondence, briefs, pleadings, contracts and affidavits |
| Filing and trial prep | File pleadings with court clerks, organize exhibits, prepare notes and transcripts and schedule interviews, meetings and depositions |
| End of day | Update case files, log time, confirm tomorrow’s deadlines and make sure documents are filed correctly |
Here is the full list of paralegal duties and responsibilities, based on the BLS and O*NET:
| Duty | What it means on the job |
|---|---|
| Investigate the facts | Investigate and gather the facts of a case and obtain affidavits and other formal statements |
| Research the law | Research laws, regulations, court decisions and legal articles that apply to the case |
| Draft documents | Draft correspondence and documents such as contracts, briefs and pleadings |
| Review documents | Edit and review legal documents prepared for the attorney |
| Organize files | Gather, organize and maintain legal documents and filing systems |
| Summarize records | Request, review and summarize relevant records for cases |
| Meet with clients | Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss the details of cases |
| Prepare for trial | Organize exhibits, notes and transcripts and help lawyers at trial |
| File with the court | File exhibits, briefs, appeals and pleadings with court clerks |
| Schedule | Schedule interviews, meetings and depositions, and manage attorneys’ calendars |
| Run the law office | Coordinate office activity, including delivery of subpoenas, and keep the law library up to date |
| Handle specialty work | Depending on the firm, assist with real estate closings or estate planning |
Paralegal Skills
Law firms look for a mix of hard skills you can show in your work and soft skills that show in how you handle cases and people.
Hard skills
| Skill | How you use it |
|---|---|
| Legal research | Searching statutes, regulations and decisions; O*NET lists Westlaw among in-demand tools |
| Legal writing and drafting | Preparing correspondence, pleadings, briefs and contracts that are clear and accurate |
| Document management | Organizing case files and keeping paper and electronic records current |
| Office software | Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, which O*NET lists as in demand, plus Adobe Acrobat and Google Workspace |
| Case preparation | Organizing exhibits, summarizing records and preparing materials for hearings and trials |
| Court procedures | Filing documents correctly and meeting court deadlines |
Soft skills
| Quality | What the BLS says |
|---|---|
| Communication | Document and present research clearly to attorneys |
| Detail orientation | Handle documents precisely, since small errors can matter |
| Interpersonal skills | Work well with clients, attorneys and colleagues |
| Organizational skills | Manage many cases and changing deadlines at once |
| Research skills | Gather facts and study the relevant law |
O*NET also lists critical thinking, active learning and monitoring as essential skills, and cautiousness, integrity, attention to detail and dependability as work styles.
Paralegal Position Requirements
| Requirement | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Education | An associate’s degree or a certificate in paralegal studies is typical; some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree, often in social science or business, plus a paralegal certificate. O*NET survey data show 37% of employers required a bachelor’s degree, 20% an associate’s degree and 19% a high school diploma |
| Paralegal program | Programs are usually accredited by professional organizations and cover legal research, legal writing and introductory law, plus specialties such as criminal, family or contract law |
| Training | None required; some firms hire workers with a high school diploma and experience, or train them on the job |
| Certification | Not required, but some employers prefer or require it; it typically requires an exam, eligibility based on education or work experience and continuing education |
| Experience | Not required for entry-level roles; experience in a law office helps |
| Availability | Most work full time in an office, with occasional travel to depositions or trials |
Requirements vary by firm, practice area and state, so read each posting closely before you apply.
Paralegal Qualifications
Requirements are the minimum to apply. Qualifications are what make a candidate stand out.
| Qualification | What employers look for |
|---|---|
| Minimum qualifications | An associate’s degree or paralegal certificate, or a high school diploma with relevant experience, plus strong writing and research skills |
| Preferred education | A bachelor’s degree, often in social science or business, plus a paralegal certificate |
| Professional certification | Preferred or required by some employers; it typically requires an exam and ongoing continuing education |
| Preferred experience | Prior law office or legal support experience; in small firms you may handle all phases of a case |
| Software skills | Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Google Workspace, Zoom and legal research tools such as Westlaw |
| Core abilities | Communication, detail orientation, interpersonal, organizational and research skills |
Paralegal Work Environment
| Work condition | What paralegals report |
|---|---|
| 100% say they use email every day (O*NET) | |
| Face-to-face and phone | 75% have face-to-face discussions every day, and 73% talk on the telephone every day (O*NET) |
| Accuracy | 79% say being exact or accurate is extremely important (O*NET) |
| Teamwork | 62% say working as part of a team is extremely important (O*NET) |
| Sitting | 80% say they sit continually or almost continually (O*NET) |
| Work week | 37% say a typical week runs more than 40 hours (O*NET) |
| Pace | The BLS says the work can be stressful because of a fast pace, multiple projects at once and tight deadlines |
| Setting | Mostly indoors in law offices, with occasional travel to depositions or trials (BLS) |
The BLS says most paralegals work full time.
Where paralegals work
| Industry | Share of paralegal jobs | Median pay (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal services | About 75% | $61,770 |
| Local government | About 5% | $63,370 |
| Federal government | About 4% | $81,470 |
| State government | About 3% | $59,320 |
| Finance and insurance | About 3% | $80,120 |
Paralegal Pay
The BLS reports a May 2025 median of $62,890 a year, or $30.24 an hour. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,740 and the highest 10% earned more than $101,500. Pay depends on your employer, industry, state and experience, and the federal government and finance and insurance pay the most.
Paralegal Job Outlook
The BLS projects little or no change in employment of paralegals and legal assistants from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3% for all occupations, with about 40,800 openings a year, mostly from workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. Law firms are expected to remain the largest employer. The BLS notes that technology, including artificial intelligence, may make paralegals more efficient at research and document preparation, which could limit demand, so strong research, writing and judgment skills matter.
Paralegal Career Path
The BLS does not describe a formal advancement ladder. O*NET lists related job titles such as litigation paralegal, real estate paralegal, immigration paralegal, paralegal specialist, legal analyst and legal assistant, which show how paralegals specialize by practice area.
Legal experience also connects to other careers:
| Related job | Typical entry education | Median pay (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Secretaries and administrative assistants | High school diploma | $48,310 |
| Arbitrators, mediators and conciliators | Bachelor’s degree | $75,530 |
| Judges and hearing officers | Doctoral or professional degree | $132,800 |
| Lawyers | Doctoral or professional degree | $159,670 |
How to Get a Paralegal Job
- Choose your education path. An associate’s degree or a paralegal certificate is typical.
- Pick an accredited program. It should cover legal research, legal writing and introductory law.
- Build your tools. Practice Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat and legal research databases.
- Consider certification. Some employers prefer or require it.
- Apply and show your strengths. Highlight research, writing and detail skills in your application.
Is this job right for you?
- Do you enjoy researching and solving problems?
- Do you write clearly and pay close attention to details?
- Can you manage several cases and tight deadlines?
- Are you comfortable working closely with attorneys and clients?
- Can you keep information confidential and act with integrity?
Paralegal Job Facts at a Glance
| Quick fact | What to know |
|---|---|
| What paralegals do | Help lawyers by investigating facts, researching law, drafting documents, organizing files and preparing for hearings and trials |
| Median pay (May 2025) | $62,890 a year, or $30.24 an hour |
| Jobs in 2025 | About 404,900 |
| Job outlook, 2025 to 2035 | 0%, little or no change; about 40,800 openings a year |
| Education | Associate’s degree or a certificate in paralegal studies is typical |
| Training | None required; some employers train workers with a high school diploma and experience on the job |
| Certification | Not required, but some employers prefer or require it |
| Where they work | About 75% work in legal services, mostly in law offices |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a paralegal do all day?
Paralegals investigate case facts, research the law, draft and review documents, organize files, meet with clients, file with the court and help prepare for hearings and trials, according to the BLS and O*NET.
What are the main duties of a paralegal?
Gathering facts, researching laws and regulations, drafting correspondence and legal documents, maintaining case files, obtaining affidavits, filing with the court and helping lawyers at trial. Duties vary by practice area and firm size.
What skills does a paralegal need?
The BLS lists communication, detail orientation, interpersonal, organizational and research skills. O*NET adds writing, active listening, reading comprehension and critical thinking.
What education do you need to be a paralegal?
An associate’s degree or a certificate in paralegal studies is typical, according to the BLS. Some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree plus a paralegal certificate, and some hire workers with a high school diploma and experience.
Do paralegals need to be certified?
Not required, according to the BLS, but some employers prefer or require certification. It typically involves an exam, eligibility based on education or work experience and ongoing continuing education.
Can a paralegal give legal advice?
The BLS describes paralegals as assisting lawyers with research, documents and case preparation, not acting as the lawyer. Rules on what paralegals may do vary by state, so check your state’s rules.
How much do paralegals make?
The BLS reports a May 2025 median of $62,890 a year, or $30.24 an hour. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,740 and the highest 10% earned more than $101,500.
Where do paralegals work?
About 75% work in legal services, mostly law offices. Others work in local government, federal government, state government and finance and insurance, according to the BLS.
Is being a paralegal stressful?
The BLS says the work can be stressful because of a fast pace, multiple simultaneous projects and tight deadlines.
What is the job outlook for paralegals?
The BLS projects little or no change (0%) from 2025 to 2035, with about 40,800 openings a year, mostly from workers who transfer or leave the labor force. It notes that technology, including AI, may make paralegals more efficient and could limit demand.
Conclusion
A paralegal investigates facts, researches the law, drafts documents, organizes files and supports lawyers at hearings and trials. The job typically needs an associate’s degree or paralegal certificate, strong writing and research skills and close attention to detail. If you are ready to apply, use the resources below to prepare.
Related Reading
- Paralegal resume objective examples
- Entry-level paralegal cover letter with no experience
- Legal assistant summary for resume
- Paralegal internship resume objective examples
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Paralegals and Legal Assistants. O*NET OnLine, 23-2011.00 Paralegals and Legal Assistants. Requirements and rules vary by employer and state; check the posting before you apply.