Occupations/23-2011.00
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
81%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
25%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
70%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- Mostly routine
Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Mostly routine
Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
Split from the wording of these tasks, shown next to the occupation’s AI risk. It is not a separate score for each task, and it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- 02Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- 03Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- 04Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- 05Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- 06Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.86
- Degree of automation1.50
- Time sitting4.77
- Originality (ability)2.62
- Conflict situations2.14
- Hands-on objects/tools2.86
- Outdoors / weather1.29
- Disease exposure1.13
- Decision freedom4.12
Top abilities
- Written Comprehension4.00
- Written Expression3.88
- Oral Expression3.88
- Oral Comprehension3.88
- Speech Recognition3.75
- Speech Clarity3.75
- Near Vision3.75
- Problem Sensitivity3.50
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.88
- Active Listening3.88
- Writing4.00
- Speaking3.62
- Mathematics2.00
- Science1.38
- Critical Thinking3.25
- Active Learning3.00
- Learning Strategies2.25
- Monitoring3.00
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 28 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Howard University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit | Legal Assistant/Paralegal 22.0302 | $33,200 | 53% | 65% | 1 yr $52,941 2 yr $57,318 Master's · CIP 22.03 |
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public | Legal Assistant/Paralegal 22.0302 | $15,200 | 24% | 87% | 1 yr $47,260 2 yr $40,647 Graduate certificate · CIP 22.03 |
Texas State Technical College Waco, TX · Public | Legal Assistant/Paralegal 22.0302 | $7,200 | 100% | 45% | 1 yr $42,682 2 yr $42,682 Graduate certificate · CIP 22.03 |
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Chicago, IL · Public | Legal Studies 22.0000 | $4,600 | 100% | 27% | 1 yr $40,467 2 yr $35,416 Bachelor's · CIP 22.00 |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public | Legal Studies 22.0000 | $17,400 | 64% | 83% | 1 yr $40,089 2 yr $35,772 Bachelor's · CIP 22.00 |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public | Legal Studies 22.0000 | $19,600 | 55% | 86% | 1 yr $39,909 2 yr $43,798 Bachelor's · CIP 22.00 |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public | Legal Studies 22.0000 | $12,600 | 48% | 84% | 1 yr $38,621 2 yr $41,007 Bachelor's · CIP 22.00 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public | Legal Studies 22.0000 | $11,200 | 49% | 89% | 1 yr $38,289 2 yr $39,909 Bachelor's · CIP 22.00 |
Gustavus Adolphus College St. Peter, MN · Private nonprofit | Legal Studies 22.0000 | $54,200 | 74% | 83% | 1 yr $37,671 2 yr $42,044 Bachelor's · CIP 22.00 |
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public | Legal Studies 22.0000 | $13,800 | 9% | 92% | 1 yr $36,914 2 yr $45,500 Bachelor's · CIP 22.00 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public | Legal Studies 22.0000 | $12,800 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $36,848 2 yr $34,230 Bachelor's · CIP 22.00 |
Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA · Public | Legal Studies 22.0000 | $1,200 | 100% | 39% | 1 yr $36,282 2 yr $34,704 Bachelor's · CIP 22.00 |