Nevada Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Nevada has no statewide requirements for becoming a paralegal or a legal assistant. However, most entry-level paralegal jobs in the state require a degree in paralegal studies. On this page, you will find answers to the most common questions about how to become a paralegal in Nevada, including certification options, salary information, job outlook, and career resources.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Nevada
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Nevada
Since the paralegal profession in Nevada is not regulated, paralegals may begin their careers through many pathways. Most Nevada paralegals possess a combination of education and experience. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Nevada:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Several paralegal schools in Nevada offer paralegal certification programs, including paralegal certificates and associate degrees in paralegal studies. Currently, there is one Nevada paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).1
2. Gain experience.
Many certificate and degree programs offer on-the-job training through internships that can give paralegal candidates real-world experience and increase their hiring potential. Some entry-level paralegals start as document preparers or legal secretaries before pursuing specialized paralegal training.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Nevada does not mandate paralegal certification. However, future paralegals may consider becoming certified an important step towards a paralegal career. Paralegals with voluntary certification through a recognized organization are often desirable by employers. You can read more about certification options below.
Paralegal Certification in Nevada
Classified as paraprofessionals in Nevada, paralegals are not required to obtain paralegal certification and do not have to meet minimum training or education requirements. Though it is not required, many paralegals who have completed a degree or certificate program seek voluntary national certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI), or the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). The CLA/CP examination offered by NALA, for example, has been accepted as a national standard of excellence within the paralegal and legal assistant field. Read our Steps to Become a Paralegal page for more information on certification options. Candidates should also check with the Nevada paralegal associations listed below for additional professional opportunities.
Nevada Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
10.7%
Paralegals in Nevada from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 3,360 paralegals and legal assistants employed in Nevada, earning an average annual salary of $61,200.3 Projections Central estimates a 10.7% job growth for paralegals in Nevada, much faster than the national growth expected of 4.2%.2 This amounts to about 380 paralegal job openings each year.2
Nevada Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 3,360 | $61,200 |
| Carson City | 80 | $59,030 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise | 2,680 | $62,940 |
| Reno | 470 | $53,870 |
Paralegal Employers in Nevada
Large law firms tend to require the most paralegal support and may be a good fit for paralegals interested in a specific area of law, as larger firms are more likely to assign legal support staff to subject-based teams. Corporate legal departments also provide numerous Nevada paralegal jobs. Large corporations in Nevada are primarily related to the gaming and entertainment industries. Other sources of paralegal jobs in Nevada include banks and government agencies throughout the state.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Nevada or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Nevada with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
- Clark County
- Clark County School District
- Lewis Brisbois
- State of Nevada
- United States Air Force</li>
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in Nevada with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in Nevada
These are volunteer organizations, typically with elected boards, that focus on professional development and networking for a specific geographical location and/or area of law.
- Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals (SNAP): Promotes networking and professional development in the legal support profession in and around Reno.
- State Bar of Nevada Paralegal Division: Works to keep member informed of relevant professional news and developmental opportunities throughout the state.
Additional Resources
- Clark County Law Library: Holds over 70,000 print volumes as well as 260 periodic titles, as well as microfiche collections and digital resources.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To find paralegal jobs in Nevada, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- Nevada Judiciary: The official website for the Supreme Court of Nevada and the Nevada Court of Appeals, which grants access to court rules, forms, schedules, and e-filing systems, in addition to a robust law library.
- University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) William S. Boyd School of Law Wiener-Rogers Law Library: Hosts a premier collection of legal research materials and is the largest law library in the state, as well as the only law library in Nevada that has comprehensive collections in United States law.
References:
1. American Bar Association Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/paralegal-resource-directory/
2. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections, 2022-2032: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm