Paralegal Salaries & Job Market in California?

Hi everyone,

I'd appreciate any advice anyone has. I 24 and I have a BA in Literature and am debating between becoming a high school teacher or a paralegal. I want to get an ABA approved certificate from either UCLA extension or the University of San Diego. Can anyone tell me about the job market for paralegals in California? Based on job ads, it looks quite strong.

Also, could anyone tell me what paralegals with a BA and an ABA certificate can make (to start, after a few years....). Averages from the different websites range from around 30,000 to 60,000.

And some websites say that experienced paralegals in California can make up to 100,000. Can anyone in the field give me a realistic idea?

Thanks so much!

I am in the same position as you, only in Chicago. I WAS an English teacher. I'm thinking you should at least make in the mid-30s to start, plus bonus and overtime. I'm a bit older and did some work part-time at a law firm, so I'm hoping to make a bit more. I'm glad I tried teaching English, but I'm also really glad I left. If you enjoy the high school scene, you might like teaching. If you want to make money, it seems like being a paralegal is a better long-term strategy.

I live in California.
I am entry level and make 60k a year.
My boss said in 4 years i can make 100K a year if i stay with his firm.
I love this state.

caliparalegal in San Jose, California said: I live in California.
I am entry level and make 60k a year.
My boss said in 4 years i can make 100K a year if i stay with his firm.
I love this state.

You should! Ten year-plus paralegals around here make $50K-$60K. Entry paralegals start at $28K-$34K. Of course, cost of living in Cal is high.

I am also interested in moving to CA (Preferably San Fran). I will be graduating in two years with my AA in paralegal studies from an ABA approved school. What is the average entry level salary like in the area? How did you find your job caliparalegal? I really want to start networking now so when the time comes I can up and go!

I have a BA degree and have taken a 2 classes at the local community college AFTER I was hired. I work in an Estate Planning and Trust office handling post trust administration for the most part. Very rewarding work, M-F 9-5.... great hours. Our office does not do litigation so the environment is usually non stress... but there are days like at any job. My salary is $56K + benefits (med & retirement) I have my own office and work alot independently. Background in accounting/finance very helpful. LOVE my job !

Paralegal for 3 years in Los Gatos, California said: I have a BA degree and have taken a 2 classes at the local community college AFTER I was hired. I work in an Estate Planning and Trust office handling post trust administration for the most part. Very rewarding work, M-F 9-5.... great hours. Our office does not do litigation so the environment is usually non stress... but there are days like at any job. My salary is $56K + benefits (med & retirement) I have my own office and work alot independently. Background in accounting/finance very helpful. LOVE my job !

Wow! It is very refreshing to read a positive statement about the paralegal profession. I have been purusing many of the different topics, and needless to say, the majority of them are very negative towards the industry. I am very glad to see you enjoy your job. Do you have any openings? I do have one question for you? How did you land a paralegal job in Estate Planning? This has been an area I have been looking into and it is a tough nut to crack without the prior experience. If you have any insight on getting around the "expereince" thing please, I would love to hear about it.

Paralegal for 3 years in Los Gatos, California said: I have a BA degree and have taken a 2 classes at the local community college AFTER I was hired. I work in an Estate Planning and Trust office handling post trust administration for the most part. Very rewarding work, M-F 9-5.... great hours. Our office does not do litigation so the environment is usually non stress... but there are days like at any job. My salary is $56K + benefits (med & retirement) I have my own office and work a lot independently. Background in accounting/finance very helpful.

I, too, have worked in estate planning and probate. Colorado is a Uniform Probate Code state. Probate is far simpler here and generally shorter than in California. I have an accounting degree and agree that such background is helpful for this practice.

I worked far more hours than you do. My day was typically 7:15 a.m. to well past 5 p.m. Also an number of weekends. Most of our conservatorship/guardianships were uncontested, but we had some highly acrimonious contested conservatorship/guardianship matters. The firm's shareholder was probably a bona fide genious, but anxiety ridden in the extreme and disorganized.

Your third-year pay sounds right for California. Around here, third-year paralegal pay would be about $40K, more or less.

Paralegal for 3 years in Los Gatos, California said: I have a BA degree and have taken a 2 classes at the local community college AFTER I was hired. I work in an Estate Planning and Trust office handling post trust administration for the most part. Very rewarding work, M-F 9-5.... great hours. Our office does not do litigation so the environment is usually non stress... but there are days like at any job. My salary is $56K + benefits (med & retirement) I have my own office and work a lot independently. Background in accounting/finance very helpful.

I, too, have worked in estate planning and probate. Colorado is a Uniform Probate Code state. Probate is far simpler here and generally shorter than in California. I have an accounting degree and agree that such background is helpful for this practice.

I worked far more hours than you do. My day was typically 7:15 a.m. to well past 5 p.m. Also any number of weekends. Most of our conservatorship/guardianships were uncontested, but we had some highly acrimonious contested conservatorship/guardianship matters. The firm's shareholder was probably a bona fide genious, but anxiety ridden in the extreme and disorganized.

Your third-year pay sounds right for California. Around here, third-year paralegal pay would be about $40K, more or less.

Paralegal for 3 years in Los Gatos, California said: I have a BA degree and have taken a 2 classes at the local community college AFTER I was hired. I work in an Estate Planning and Trust office handling post trust administration for the most part. Very rewarding work, M-F 9-5.... great hours. Our office does not do litigation so the environment is usually non stress... but there are days like at any job. My salary is $56K + benefits (med & retirement) I have my own office and work a lot independently. Background in accounting/finance very helpful.

I, too, have worked in estate planning and probate. Colorado is a Uniform Probate Code state. Probate is far simpler here and generally shorter than in California. I have an accounting degree and agree that such background is helpful for this practice.

I worked far more hours than you do. My day was typically 7:15 a.m. to well past 5 p.m. Also any number of weekends. Most of our conservatorship/guardianships were uncontested, but we had some highly acrimonious contested conservatorship/guardianship matters. The firm's shareholder was probably a bona fide genius, but anxiety ridden in the extreme and disorganized.

Your third-year pay sounds right for California. Around here, third-year paralegal pay would be about $40K, more or less.

(correction of multiple typos - sorry)

Legalmagic in Los Angeles, California said: How did you land a paralegal job in Estate Planning? This has been an area I have been looking into and it is a tough nut to crack without the prior experience. If you have any insight on getting around the "expereince" thing please, I would love to hear about it.

Just apply. Work up a resume that sells your overall legal experience and transferable skills. You must be willing to learn. Your experience has taught you how law works and has given you legal intuition. Because you have both you can learn a new speciality. And, again, CLE. You may have to explain in an interview why you don't want to return to WC.

You may have to take less money for a while because you've been on the shelf for seven years and would be, in effect, entry level for the specialty.

caliparalegal in San Jose, California said: I live in California.
I am entry level and make 60k a year.
My boss said in 4 years i can make 100K a year if i stay with his firm.
I love this state.

I have never heard of an Entry Level Paralegal, in California or any other state in the Union, start out at $60K.

All, sad to say, at present the paralegal market in So Cal is very thin. The entire legal industry is hurting and layoffs are nationwide.

Ck abovethelaw.com - good comments re the legal industry and news re recent mass layoffs.

Best, m

Yeah, I've been following abovethelaw.com and lawshucks.com and the layoffs of staff and attorneys is just amazing. If you read the comments it is even more interesting. Lawyers with nothing to do, summer programs cancelled, new hires start date moved into 2010, people highest in the food chain hoarding billables, etc.

Great read!!

Meanwhile the mid-sized firms are doing pretty good as the big corporations realize they can save money using smaller firms who have lower billing rates.

It is a great read. I read one comment where laid-off first-year associates have applied for $45K paralegal jobs - as if they feel demeaned by having to do so. Violins, anyone?

I have news for you, chump. I have eleven years of paralegal experience. I know the job and you don't. I never made $45K per year. $45K is still less than what I'm worth, but it's better than what I was making.

Moe in Paramount, California said: All, sad to say, at present the paralegal market in So Cal is very thin. The entire legal industry is hurting and layoffs are nationwide.

Ck abovethelaw.com - good comments re the legal industry and news re recent mass layoffs.

Best, m

What's happening in our firm is sort of strange. We are totally out of office space and just signed a lease (long story.) They need to hire more attorneys and the paralegals were told we may have to give up our office and work in CUBICLES. Now I can give up my office with a view and have an inner office, but to be put in a cubicle did not go over well with the paralegals. Matter of privacy, concentration, storing files, etc. We make money for the firm and should have some perks, such as an office. So it just happened that they fired two atty (really don't know the details, but do know it had to do with productivity. Rumor has it that they paralegals were more productive than those two attys, and they let go of the contract atty.

Legalmagic in Los Angeles, California said: I have never heard of an Entry Level Paralegal, in California or any other state in the Union, start out at $60K.

Neither have I. I'm 20 year (experience) and making 72,000.00. What type of law does your firm practice?

loyalramfan in Los Angeles, California said: CUBICLES.

We already got moved to cubicles. It's ridiculous in some ways. There is so much noise in our cube farm it sounds like a call center. I can't make a call if the lady in the next cube is on the phone. I have to wait until she's done so I can hear the person on the other end of my phone.

There's no privacy. I know the business of everyone sitting around me. But then, you can overhear stuff that will help you in your job if you are sitting by the right people. I'm more in the loop than I have ever been. My space is neater. I can't store boxed anymore. The firm has to make space for all of our boxes that used to be in my office.

Overall, though, it's not as big a deal as I thought it would be. Some are still mad about it, but I got over it. The confidentiality issue isn't really there since as an employee I really can't disclose anything I hear at work anyway whether I work on the case or not. Yacky lady next to me is in a different area of law and pretty soon I think I will be fully qualified to work in that area after all I have witnessed in her cube.

Apparently at the Firm Adminstrator conventions they have been discussing this and doubling up in offices for over a year. It's inevitable. Besides the office walls are so thin it's just a false sense of security. I can hear everything going on in the offices near me.

Legalmagic in Los Angeles, California said: I have never heard of an Entry Level Paralegal, in California or any other state in the Union, start out at $60K.

I was able to land an entry-level position fresh out of paralegal school that begins at $75,000.

With all due respect to you, I don't believe it.

Please provide some details about the job and firm. Don't give names.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: With all due respect to you, I don't believe it.

Please provide some details about the job and firm. Don't give names.

Believe it or not, that's certainly your perogative. I'm not saying my position is typical, because it's most certainly atypical. I only felt obliged to mention my salary because people on this forum seem to think that paralegals are relegated to a particular salary cap. This just isn't the case. Just looking at the median income for a specific job or industry doesn't give you all the facts.

I work for a real estate firm. It's primary source of income is generated by collecting past-due homeowner's assessments. We also enforce deed restriction violations. I work very, very, very hard for my money. But I am rewarded handsomely in return. I am personally responsible for handling over 500 or so active files at one time. This isn't easy, nor is it my ideal job, but the pay and autonomy makes it worth while. The pay structure in this firm is most certainly unique, but that alone doesn't make it impossible.

My point: there are high-paying jobs out there for paralegals, one just have to be persistant and a little bit lucky to find them.

According to Indeed's salary calculator, average paralegal pay in Houston is $49K. Compare with New York City, where Indeed's salary calculator reveals average paralegal pay is $65K. It is generally agreed the COL in NYC is much higher than many other parts of the country.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, www.texasindustryprofiles.com/apps/win/ , entry paralegal and legal assistant pay in Texas is $31,305. Experienced paralegal and legal assistant pay averages $57,742. Median pay is $45,338. I realize that pay in some markets may be far lower and skew those figures downward somewhat.

You should be proud of yourself for landing an entry paralegal job that pays $18K more than your state's average, $10K more than New York City, and perhaps $10-$15K more than experienced (ten-year-plus) paralegals in the best paying firms around here can expect to earn. That said, as you put it, your pay, particularly as an entry paralegal, is absolutely atypical. Persistence and luck notwithstanding, IMO your pay is not a figure other entry-level paralegals should rely upon when determining their pay.

Good luck with your job. Try not to work too hard. 500 active files at one time is most definitely a workload.

I was a paralegal for more than eleven years. I never earned anything close to $50K. I am male, but I appreciate your sentiments.

First-year associates at the major firms around here can earn $150K. I don't know about law clerk pay.

Paralegal for 3 years in Los Gatos, California said: I have a BA degree and have taken a 2 classes at the local community college AFTER I was hired. I work in an Estate Planning and Trust office handling post trust administration for the most part. Very rewarding work, M-F 9-5.... great hours. Our office does not do litigation so the environment is usually non stress... but there are days like at any job. My salary is $56K + benefits (med & retirement) I have my own office and work alot independently. Background in accounting/finance very helpful. LOVE my job !

I am a 2-year paralegal at a big firm in Menlo park but I live in Los Gatos - I am intent upon finding a job in Los Gatos so I no longer have to commute (I am a single mom and want to spend more time with my child and not on highway 85). The job market is difficult right now, but if you (3 years paralegal in Los Gatos) hear of a job opening in Los Gatos please reply! Thank you!

Legalmagic in Los Angeles, California said: Wow! It is very refreshing to read a positive statement about the paralegal profession. I have been purusing many of the different topics, and needless to say, the majority of them are very negative towards the industry. ......

This is the deal. If you get a paralegal postion with set hours of 9-5 or 8:30 to 5:30pm- you will have way less stress than a "billable" hour para job where you will be working more than 40 hours a week.

Usually in the orange county/Los angeles CA. a paralegal with a Bachelor's, would start off between, 30,000-40,000, average being 34,800. After a few years salaries range from 35,000-59,000. Three to five years, 45,000-60,000, five plus up 72,000 or more.

Yes at firs you may have to settle for a legal secretary position or send resumes while in school to firms expressing interest in participating in an internship. Research the firm and provide an appealing cover letter.

I have a bachelors and no legal experience. However, I plan on researching nonprofit legal aid centers, researching the web, and submitting a letter of interest and resume in acquiring my internship. I know it may be slow out there but Im confident with a little determination and persistent things will pan out.

Luckily, for me I have a job that has very flexible hours so a non paid internship is an open possibility for me.

Everyone Goodluck, be confident, and stay positive!

Orange County Paralegal student and single parent.

Exuse me. I forgot to add to my comment above that I meant a paralegal with a bachelor's degree coupled with a ABA paralegal certificate earnings.

Sorry for any confusion.

I agree with Positive in Tustin, California. Higher education, years of experience, and excellent skills can give you a salary in the $80,000 range. I have a Bachelors degree, a Paralegal Certificate, and a Masters degree and am making $95,000 + a year. I also have been in this industry for 10 years. If you work for the government, which is what I am planning to do, you can get $120,000 in a management position or Legal Specialist position.

There are excellent Paralegal programs in California.. I would go with an ABA approved program.

Finally, I would try to work in-house (corporation) because you are not pressured to meet "billable" hours like a law firm. Your chances of getting promoted is a lot faster if you work for a corporation and you are more diversified.. That is, you get to work on IP matters, litigation, corporate, mergers & acquisitions, contracts, etc. In-house is way better...

This thread is hilarious. There are NO jobs in California. I live here and everyone is barely making it and staying put while they can. Some of us are leaving for better states. If you think you're going to drive into the sunshine and land a high paying job you're delusional.

The problem is - nobody every thought California would go belly up - and they just don't believe it.

Upland, you live in a part of California. You do not live in every city so to make a blatant statement there are no jobs seems a little immature and premature. I have searched different employment sites and there are legal support jobs out there. Not as many but they are out there.

If being a paralegal is what you want to do than do not let anyone's comments, including mine, determine your career path. With any job or career success comes with many years of experience and some form higher education whether it be an AA to a Ph.D.

Connections matter as well. I still need to, but join paralegal professional organizations and participate in workshops. Network. Its a recession out there. Its hitting every occupation/career out there...including nurses! Now everyone thought that nursing was an excellent secure job but forums that I have read are saying at least in OC that new graduates are finding it hard to find employment. So whatever field you get into, with the exception of some like doctors, is going to have its good and bad during the recession. And every profession is going to have its disgruntled workers complaining because most of the ones that are happy with their job arent on the web writing about it.:)

Newsflash, California is BADLY dealing with the aftereffects of the housing market. I don't care how many ads you see seeking help they are NOT hiring. I've lived in LA county and San Bernardino County and I KNOW what I'm talking about but hey, if it makes you sleep good at night to think all you have to do is drive out here in the sunshine and land a six figured job then by all means feel free.

Positive in Tustin in Tustin, California said: Upland, you live in a part of California. You do not live in every city so to make a blatant statement there are no jobs seems a little immature and premature. I have searched different employment sites and there are legal support jobs out there. Not as many but they are out there.

If being a paralegal is what you want to do than do not let anyone's comments, including mine, determine your career path. With any job or career success comes with many years of experience and some form higher education whether it be an AA to a Ph.D.

Connections matter as well. I still need to, but join paralegal professional organizations and participate in workshops. Network. Its a recession out there. Its hitting every occupation/career out there...including nurses! Now everyone thought that nursing was an excellent secure job but forums that I have read are saying at least in OC that new graduates are finding it hard to find employment. So whatever field you get into, with the exception of some like doctors, is going to have its good and bad during the recession. And every profession is going to have its disgruntled workers complaining because most of the ones that are happy with their job arent on the web writing about it.:)

How funny. Nurses can go anywhere in the country and receive a high paying salary. They don't HAVE to stay put in California or New York to make the big bucks like paralegals and I don't know of ONE unemployed nurse. Please, don't be so naive. Nursing is a solid profession. They aren't sitting at home writing on blogs trying to figure out HOW to land a job. LOL.

That's true. Maybe the nurses just out of school are having a difficult time, but not the rest.

And the older experienced paralegals, legal assistants - well, for today's employer, we just cost too much.

Im not being naive, hon. My friend just landed a 36000 per year job as a paralegal and she only has 6 months experience in Irvine. So maybe in your world you may have problems with getting employment but from what Im seeing maybe employers are seeking more positive people.

I do have two degrees and connections. I just landed an internship in LA paying 12 per hour. I have no experience. It is with an entertainment law firm. I still go to school and self-employed. That is why I am able to do internships and wait for the right job because I do not have to worry about a typical 9-5.

So please spare me the, THERE'S NO JOB sentiments. Yes they are scarce. But not all are having the problems that YOU or others are having. Like I said most people who are paralegals arent coming on here complaining because they employed. :)

Anyway, that is my 2cents. Take it as you will.

Oh and I never said anything about coming out here and landing a six figure job. Read before responding.

Here is a couple forums I was referring to regarding nursing. And there not even all of the forums that I have seen. One is from 2008 towards the end of the year and the others are all 2009. And my comment was targeted to new grads more than anything. I cannot stand people who think they know it all. My last comment on this subject.

www.city-data.com/forum/work-employment/712610-where-nursing-jobs-does-anyone-know.html

allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/anyone-out-there-418635.html

allnurses.com/geriatric-nurses-ltc/rn-having-hard-409321.html

www.nursepod.com/?p=939

Most of the people having a difficult time getting a job are those over 40. If you're 50 (like me), better pray to die before UB runs out.

Funny thing about articles, they are written by reporters. You know the saying, don't believe everything you read.

Positive in Tustin in Tustin, California said: My friend just landed a 36000 per year job as a paralegal and she only has 6 months experience in Irvine.....

Pay is relative and tied to COL. The same job here would pay $28K - maybe. So don't crowing about great pay in Cali. I lived in NorCal many years ago. It's more expensive to live in Cal than many other places.

Positive in Tustin in Tustin, California said: So please spare me the, THERE'S NO JOB sentiments. Yes they are scarce. But not all are having the problems that YOU or others are having. Like I said most people who are paralegals arent coming on here complaining because they employed.

Some people here worked as paralegals for years. At least a couple of employed paralegals complain about their jobs. In the meantime, you are just getting started. Let's see if you still like it as well after you complete your internship, graduate from paralegal school and cannot find even a $10/hour job working for a loutish sole practitioner.

Positive in Tustin in Tustin, California said: My friend just landed a 36000 per year job as a paralegal and she only has 6 months experience in Irvine.....

Pay is relative and tied to COL. The same job here would pay $28K - maybe. So don't go around crowing about great pay in Cali. I lived in NorCal many years ago. It's more expensive to live in Cal than many other places.

Positive in Tustin in Tustin, California said: So please spare me the, THERE'S NO JOB sentiments. Yes they are scarce. But not all are having the problems that YOU or others are having. Like I said most people who are paralegals arent coming on here complaining because they employed.

Some people here worked as paralegals for years. At least a couple of employed paralegals complain about their jobs. In the meantime, you are just getting started. Let's see if you still like it as well after you complete your internship, graduate from paralegal school and cannot find even a $10/hour job working for a loutish sole practitioner.

Positive in Tustin in Tustin, California said: Here is a couple forums I was referring to regarding nursing. And there not even all of the forums that I have seen. One is from 2008 towards the end of the year and the others are all 2009. And my comment was targeted to new grads more than anything. I cannot stand people who think they know it all. My last comment on this subject.

www.city-data.com/forum/work-employment/712610-where-nursing-jobs-does-anyone-know.html

allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/anyone-out-there-418635.html

allnurses.com/geriatric-nurses-ltc/rn-having-hard-409321.html

www.nursepod.com/?p=939

First off you have issues if you can't STAND anyone. With that attitude I doubt you're employable.

You have TWO degrees and are doing an internship??? Wow, ok. Whatever floats your boat.

I know nursing graduates who are offered jobs before they even graduate so there goes THAT theory. Nurses will ALWAYS have options whereas my LAW SCHOOL GRADUATE FRIENDS cannot land a job as a law clerk or paralegal b/c many attorneys are doint it themselves. Citydata is known to be the water cooler spot for complainers like you.

I am VERY much employed and receiving a salary so there goes THAT theory of you.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Most of the people having a difficult time getting a job are those over 40. If you're 50 (like me), better pray to die before UB runs out.

Funny thing about articles, they are written by reporters. You know the saying, don't believe everything you read.

I know that is usually true, but I found two jobs after 50 with good pay and benefits. I quit the first job because it became ugly after a merger.

Positive in Tustin in Tustin, California said:
I do have two degrees and connections. I just landed an internship in LA paying 12 per hour.

Positive: Let's see thing for what they are. An internship is an introduction to a new field. Internships are when you are in a learning/training program. It is done at the end of the program. You have a mentor.

I had to do an internship to get my AA in Court Reporting (at age 21). I had to do an internship to get my AA in Paralegal Studies (at age 47).

You are not doing an internship. You took an entry level job paying $12.00 an hour.

Interesting thread.
My BS is in secondary education, but I pursued an ABA paralegal certificate right out of college and started at $18,200 in 1989, about what starting teacher salaries were at that time. 20 years later, I'm finding that my salary is about what it would be if I'd been teaching for 20 years. Frustrating, because I thought I'd be making a whole lot more money in the legal field than teachers - and I don't get summers, Thanksgiving, 2 weeks at Christmas and spring break!

I got out of court reporting in Florida and went into legal assistant because it was more money, benefits, vacations.

Now I'm practicing my shorthand and hopeful to go back into court reporting. (I haven't gotten a teaching job). There are court reporters making over $100,000 a year.

Yes, its important to be positive, Positive in Tustin....but it is scary that this particular industry can take such a massive hit like it has. Its always smart to keep your eyes wide open to what's happening around u to protect your tail. But yes, you DID land that job partly because your positive. If you've already convinced yourself you're not going to get a job, it'll show in your interview, the way you carry yourself...... The one that's excited to work and already knows she'll be great (yes, for 12 an hour ---temporarily) is the one who gets the job over the person who seems to be in pain just sitting in the chair just TALKING about the job.

If your going to make being a Paralegal, the trick is be a GOOD Paralegal. Many Paralegals act like legal secretaries at best, just waiting to take orders and never get truly proactive enough to even be called a paralegal. If you network with the associations, build friends others in the professional community about YOUR vision (we can always do more), entertain and welcome the associates into your life instead of assuming they aren't interested in you......stand out! And attorneys talk to one another about their support staff. If they speak only in praises about you to all their colleagues, then you probably just landed more work for yourself if you need to move on. Its hilarious how people think they're worth more than 35k and all they do is some calendaring, typing and delegate some paper pushing......not to mention probably walk around the office bringing down morale with their complaining and bad taste in work attire.....

hope someone was enlightened,
kp