What they do
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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Also called: |
Immigration Paralegal, Law Associate, Legal Analyst, Legal Assistant, Legal Clerk, Legal Processing Assistant, Litigation Paralegal, Paralegal, Paralegal Specialist, Real Estate Paralegal
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Wages
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Vermont - 2024 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 22.83 |
$47,490 |
25% |
$ 23.67 |
$49,230 |
Median |
$ 30.29 |
$63,000 |
75% |
$ 33.56 |
$69,810 |
90% |
$ 38.19 |
$79,440 |
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Average |
$ 29.98 |
$62,360 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2022 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 76% |
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
| 5% |
- Federal government, excluding postal service
| 5% |
- State government, excluding education and hospitals
| 3% |
- Insurance carriers and related activities
| 2% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
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- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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- Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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- Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
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- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
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- 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.
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- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
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- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2022 employment |
665 |
2032 employment |
719 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.8% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
75 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Associate's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Seldom Important
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- Level of activity is Very Low
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Low |  | High |
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Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
Medium Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(6.0 to < 7.0) - A typical worker will require
over 1 year up to and including 2 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level |  | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate |  | 10% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate |  | 10% |
Bachelor's degree |  | 37% |
Associate's degree |  | 20% |
Certificate or some college, no degree |  | 5% |
High school diploma or equivalent |  | 19% |
Less than high school diploma |  | 0% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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- Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Maintain the order of legal documents.
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- Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making.
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- Confer with court staff to clarify information.
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- Meet with individuals involved in legal processes to provide information and clarify issues.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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