Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security · Legal Services
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $39,810; experienced workers reach $87,530. About 2,900 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.
Job outlook
Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.
- Employment change
- +13.9%
- Openings a year
- 379
- Employed in 2024
- 3,022
Typical entry education: Associate's degree
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
1 program, with the college that teaches each.
Skills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Writing3.9
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking3.6
- Active Learning3.1
- Monitoring3.0
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
What the work is
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.
- 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 case.
- 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.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- High school or less19%
- Certificate2%
- Some college2%
- Associate degree20%
- Bachelor's degree46%
- Doctoral or professional10%
Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.
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