Paralegals and legal assistants do a variety of tasks to support lawyers, including maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents.

Paralegals and legal assistants are found in all types of organizations, but most work for law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. They usually work full time, and some may have to work more than 40 hours a week to meet deadlines.

Most paralegals and legal assistants have an associate's degree or a certificate in paralegal studies. In some cases, employers may hire college graduates with a bachelor's degree but no legal experience or specialized education and train them on the job.

The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $48,810 in May 2015.

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 8 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This occupation attracts many applicants, and competition for jobs will be strong. Experienced, formally trained paralegals with strong computer and database management skills should have the best job prospects.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for paralegals and legal assistants.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of paralegals and legal assistants with similar occupations.

Learn more about paralegals and legal assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.