Paralegals and Legal Assistants
SOC Code: 23-2011 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Paralegals and Legal Assistants. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,147 | $82,867 | $101,566 | $120,286 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $60,174 | $75,504 | $90,854 | $106,184 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $61,818 | $76,170 | $90,542 | $104,894 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $55,474 | $70,928 | $86,382 | $101,837 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $56,826 | $69,347 | $81,848 | $94,370 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $56,659 | $68,474 | $80,309 | $92,123 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $48,734 | $62,774 | $76,835 | $90,875 |
| Midland, MI | $56,971 | $68,203 | $79,456 | $90,688 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $52,707 | $64,813 | $76,939 | $89,045 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $36,234 | $53,414 | $70,574 | $87,755 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| The Payne Law Group | 1 | $100,880 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | $100,880 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.6 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Law and Government | 4.8 |
| English Language | 4.4 |
| Administrative | 4.2 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.9 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.6 |
| Administration and Management | 3.3 |
| Mathematics | 2.6 |
| Education and Training | 2.6 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 36.9% |
| Associate's degree | 20.1% |
| High school diploma | 18.6% |
| Post-first professional | 10.0% |
| Master's degree | 9.6% |
| Some college | 2.4% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 2.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- 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.
- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Acrobat Google Docs Google Workspace software Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Word Zoom AbacusNext HotDocs American LegalNet USCourtForms
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