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
Rochester MN MSA	120	20	$20.79/hr	$0.64/hr	$15.31/hr	$16.62/hr	$18.88/hr	$22.83/hr	$31.18/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 80 $17.77/hr Public Administration 20 $25.38/hr

Other Regional Data For Paralegals and Legal Assistants Geography (click title for details) OES Projections Employment Median Wage % Change  -  Minneapolis-Saint Paul MN-WI MSA 3,560 $26.40/hr N/A Southeast Balance of State 280 $18.09/hr N/A Northwest Balance of State 140 $17.79/hr N/A Saint Cloud MN MSA 130 $21.15/hr N/A Rochester MN MSA 120 $18.88/hr N/A Duluth-Superior MN-WI MSA 110 $22.57/hr N/A Fargo-Moorhead ND-MN MSA 100 $22.92/hr N/A Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 90 $18.86/hr N/A La Crosse WI-MN MSA 80 $16.97/hr N/A Mankato-North Mankato, MN MetroSA 80 $18.94/hr N/A Southwest Balance of State 70 $17.98/hr N/A Northeast Balance of State 40 $20.05/hr N/A

Related Occupations

Occupation (click title for details)	OES		Projections
	Employment	Median Wage	% Change  -
Lawyers	220	$43.05/hr	N/A
Legal Secretaries	70	$17.17/hr	N/A
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	60	$23.76/hr	N/A
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	40	$17.29/hr	N/A
Tax Preparers	N/A	$16.77/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.