DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
23-2011 Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Occupational Description:
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).| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| EDR 10 - Southeast | 300 | 44 | $18.62/hr | $0.79/hr | $13.06/hr | $15.28/hr | $18.25/hr | $21.43/hr | $23.67/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. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Lawyers | 420 | $40.92/hr | N/A |
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | 220 | $21.44/hr | N/A |
| Legal Secretaries | 170 | $18.02/hr | N/A |
| Loan Interviewers and Clerks | 160 | $16.77/hr | N/A |
| Tax Preparers | 60 | $11.53/hr | N/A |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | 20 | $17.20/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- 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.