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 First Quarter, 2013

					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
EDR 9 - South Central	210	26	$19.59/hr	$1.10/hr	$13.85/hr	$16.32/hr	$18.95/hr	$23.22/hr	$26.83/hr
Minnesota	4,490	247	$25.66/hr	$0.74/hr	$15.27/hr	$19.17/hr	$24.49/hr	$31.33/hr	$37.46/hr
U S	267,030	3,471	$24.48/hr	$0.12/hr	$14.34/hr	$17.77/hr	$22.90/hr	$29.41/hr	$36.76/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 190 $18.39/hr Public Administration 10 $21.65/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 3,470 $26.65/hr N/A EDR 10 - Southeast 300 $18.25/hr N/A EDR 9 - South Central 210 $18.95/hr N/A EDR 7W- Central 130 $21.15/hr N/A EDR 3 - Arrowhead 100 $22.89/hr N/A EDR 7E- East Central 50 $20.31/hr N/A EDR 8 - Southwest 30 $23.98/hr N/A EDR 6E- Southwest Central 30 $16.46/hr N/A

Related Occupations

Occupation (click title for details)	OES		Projections
	Employment	Median Wage	% Change  -
Lawyers	170	$44.99/hr	N/A
Legal Secretaries	120	$17.56/hr	N/A
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	110	$14.83/hr	N/A
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	70	$19.53/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.