Under the supervision of a lawyer, paralegals may be expected to perform duties such as:
- Drafting legal documents and forms
- Handling real estate transactions
- Interviewing clients
- Managing various law office procedures
- Organizing material for trial
- Researching legal data
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Earning a Paralegal degree gives you the opportunity to work in a wide range of locations, including not only law firms but also the legal departments of businesses such as:
- Airlines
- Banks
- Corporations
- Governmental agencies
- Hotels
- Law enforcement agencies
- Nonprofit organizations such as charities and religious groups
- Restaurant chains
- Television stations
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Employment of paralegals is expected to grow 22 percent through 2014, much faster than average for all occupations. Median salaries range from $34,000 to $54,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
America’s Career Infonet and the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (2008-2009 edition) give detailed information about the skills, abilities, work activities and recommended education for jobs in the field as a paralegal.
According to America’s Career Infonet, average hourly and annual wages are:
| Job |
Hourly Rate |
Annual Salary |
Projected Growth Through 2014 |
| Paralegal |
$21.63 |
$45,000 |
22% |