DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

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. Excludes “Legal Secretaries” (43-6012).

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
Wages Updated to Third Quarter, 2012

					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
EDR 3 - Arrowhead	80	20	$23.04/hr	$1.22/hr	$18.88/hr	$20.11/hr	$22.06/hr	$26.05/hr	$29.61/hr
Minnesota	4,100	332	$25.60/hr	$0.74/hr	$15.50/hr	$19.55/hr	$24.75/hr	$30.87/hr	$37.29/hr
U S	252,250	3,532	$24.54/hr	$0.12/hr	$14.44/hr	$17.80/hr	$22.96/hr	$29.46/hr	$37.04/hr
*SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate.

Leading Industries for Paralegals and Legal Assistants Industry OES Employment OES Median Wage Professional and Business Services 60 $21.54/hr

Other Regional Data For Paralegals and Legal Assistants Geography (click title for details) OES Projections Employment Median Wage % Change  -  EDR 11 - 7 County Twin Cities 3,120 $26.92/hr N/A EDR 10 - Southeast 240 $18.37/hr N/A EDR 9 - South Central 180 $17.82/hr N/A EDR 7W- Central 150 $21.06/hr N/A EDR 4 - West Central 140 $17.64/hr N/A EDR 3 - Arrowhead 80 $22.06/hr N/A EDR 5 - North Central 70 $21.72/hr N/A EDR 8 - Southwest 40 $16.23/hr N/A EDR 6E- Southwest Central 30 $17.38/hr N/A EDR 2 - Headwaters 30 $15.20/hr N/A EDR 7E- East Central 30 $20.08/hr N/A

Related Occupations

Occupation (click title for details)	OES		Projections
	Employment	Median Wage	% Change  -
Lawyers	270	$43.62/hr	N/A
Legal Secretaries	220	$20.40/hr	N/A
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	190	N/A	N/A
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	70	$17.07/hr	N/A
Tax Preparers	N/A	$16.70/hr	N/A

• Prepares legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
• Investigates facts and law of cases to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
• Appraises and inventories real and personal property for estate planning.
• Calls upon witnesses to testify at hearing.
• Arbitrates disputes between parties and assists in real estate closing process.
• Presents arguments and evidence to support appeal at appeal hearing.
• Keeps and monitors legal volumes to ensure that law library is up-to-date.
• Directs and coordinates law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
• Answers questions regarding legal issues pertaining to civil service hearings.
• Prepares affidavits or other documents, maintains document file, and files pleadings with court clerk.
• Gathers and analyzes research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.