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Many people thinking about a career change are turning to the paralegal profession as their best career option. Paralegals can train in as little as one year, and can earn a respectable salary whether they work in Texas, Illinois or New York. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual paralegal salary was $46,120 in 2008, with the highest 10 percent earning over $73,450. Salaries vary based on employer type, size of law firm and geographic location. According to Payscale.com, states that pay the highest paralegal salary are California, Texas, New York, Georgia and Florida.  Keep reading to find out how much paralegals earn in cities and states across the US. Whether you want to begin a career as a paralegal in your home state, or move to where the job opportunities are better or the paralegal salary is higher, get the education you need to start your new paralegal career. California Paralegal Salary There are 26,680 paralegals employed in California, according to the BLS. Among the highest-paying states for the profession, California offers a median paralegal salary of $54,800 per year. As a point of comparison, the national median income for paralegals is $43,040. The California Alliance of Paralegal Associations notes that paralegal salaries vary based on several factors, including the city where you work, employer type and size, and your experience level. When comparing salaries, though, consider all the factors that contribute to your compensation. For example, some employers might offer overtime work, and others will not. Benefits, perks, vacation time and sick leave will also vary from office to office. Below is a list of paralegal salaries for some of the largest cities in California. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale | $56,050 | | Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville | $52,440 | | San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos | $55,970 | | San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City | $62,170 | | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $61,920 | Colorado Paralegal Salary According to the BLS, there are currently 4,940 paralegal jobs in Colorado, and the median paralegal salary is $45,350, nearly $2,500 above the national average. As you might expect, paralegal salaries vary by city. Data from Salary.com shows that Denver paralegal jobs pay the most, but wages in the rest of the state are not far behind. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | Denver | $48,567 | | Boulder | $47,368 | | Fort Collins | $45,291 | | Colorado Springs | $45,032 | | Pueblo | $43,118 | Florida Paralegal Salary According to the BLS, there are nearly 20,000 paralegals employed in Florida, with an average annual salary of $45,400. Below is a list of the top Florida cities, with the average paralegal salary for each one. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | Jacksonville | $43,990 | | Miami-Fort Lauderdale | $48,250 | | Orlando-Kissimmee | $47,120 | | Tallahassee | $41,960 | | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $48,850 | Georgia Paralegal Salary There are 8,020 paralegals employed in Georgia, according to the BLS, and paralegals earn a median salary of $45,840, with the top 10 percent making nearly $75,000 per year. Salaries for Georgia paralegals vary slightly, depending on the city. Data from Salary.com shows that paralegals in Atlanta earn the most. However, a paralegal salary in Macon, Savannah and other Georgia cities can be comparable given the lower cost of living in those cities. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | Atlanta | $45,848 | | Augusta | $42,910 | | Columbus | $38,750 | | Macon | $42,869 | | Savannah | $42,874 | Illinois Paralegal Salary The BLS reports that there are 8,660 paralegals employed in Illinois. And as you might suspect, most of them work and live in Chicago. Illinois is among the top five highest-paying states for paralegals, and pays a median salary of $51,090 per year. But the top 10 percent of paralegals earn an annual median income of over $75,000. Paralegal salaries vary based on the area of Illinois where you live—but not as much as you might think. According to Salary.com, Chicago paralegals make the highest salaries, but earnings for paralegals in other cities aren't far behind. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | Chicago | $51,090 | | Peoria | $45,764 | | Springfield | $45,051 | | Moline | $44,789 | | Champaign-Urbana | $44,586 | Minnesota Paralegal Salary There are 4,030 paralegals employed in Minnesota, according to the BLS. In Minnesota, paralegals earn a median salary of $48,060 per year, $5,000 above the national average. Of course, your paralegal salary will vary based on where you live in Minnesota. According to Salary.com, paralegals in Minneapolis earn the highest paralegal salaries in the state, but the rest of the state pays competitive wages too. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $51,570 | | Rochester | $38,500 | | St. Cloud | $45,100 | New York Paralegal Salary There are 27,430 paralegals employed in New York, according to the BLS. Most enter the field with an associate's degree from one of the many paralegal schools in New York, or a paralegal degree that they earned in another state. According to the BLS, New York pays a median yearly paralegal salary of $56,460. And the top 25 percent of New York paralegals make a median income of over $70,000 a year. Below are the average paralegal salaries for some of the largest cities in New York State. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | New York City Metro Area | $60,670 | | Buffalo-Niagara Falls | $46,020 | | Rochester | $44,080 | | Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $45,170 | | Syarcuse | $48,140 | North Carolina Paralegal Salary According to the BLS, there are 8,330 paralegals employed in North Carolina, and they earn an annual average salary of $40,150. Again, your North Carolina paralegal salary will vary slightly, depending on the city you live in. Data from Salary.com shows that the Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte areas pay the highest paralegal salaries. However, paralegals in other North Carolina cities have a comparable income, considering their cost of living. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | Raleigh-Durham | $45,440 | | Charlotte | $45,428 | | Winston-Salem | $44,375 | | Wilmington | $42,457 | | Asheville | $41,511 | Texas Paralegal Salary The BLS reports that there are 18,040 paralegals employed in Texas, making Texas the fourth highest employer of paralegals in the country. Texas paralegals earn a median annual salary of $45,680. Salaries for Texas paralegals vary based on where you live. Data from Salary.com shows that entry-level paralegal jobs in Dallas pay a median salary of $46,307. In Houston, paralegals earn a median income of $46,972. Typically, larger cities pay higher salaries, but they also have a higher cost of living. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | Austin | $44,083 | | Corpus Christi | $43,077 | | San Antonio | $42,423 | | Amarillo | $41,715 | | El Paso | $40,236 | Washington State Paralegal Salary According to Washington's Labor Market and Economic Analysis (LMEA) branch of the Employment Security Department (ESD), there are 6,049 paralegals employed in Washington, and they earn an average annual income of $47,860. Salaries for Washington paralegals vary slightly, depending on the city in which you live. Data from Salary.com shows that Seattle paralegal jobs pay the most. However, other Washington State paralegal jobs pay comparable incomes, taking into account the cost of living. | City | Median Paralegal Salary | | Seattle | $52,588 | | Bremerton | $49,291 | | Bellingham | $48,028 | | Spokane | $46,213 | | Yakima | $46,022 | So no matter where you want to live, there are paralegal career options across the country. Look for the best paralegal degree for you in our extensive database of paralegal schools, and remember that if you're currently employed, there are online paralegal degree options that offer the flexibility you need to fit a paralegal education into your busy life. Find a paralegal school and start your future today!  Source: All statistics are as of May 2007 from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, unless otherwise indicated. Criminal Justice Home
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