New York Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
There are no statewide mandatory certifications for paralegals in New York, but most paralegal jobs in the state require a degree or certificate in paralegal studies. This career guide will help you as you launch a career as a paralegal in New York, with information on how to become one, salary and job outlook, and career resources.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in New York
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in New York
Since New York does not regulate the profession paralegals in the state can take many paths. The most common route is a combination of education and real-world experience. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in New York:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Many paralegals in New York start by attending a New York paralegal school, which offers paralegal certificates, associate degrees in paralegal studies, and paralegal bachelor’s degrees. Earning a formal degree or certificate from one of these schools can help paralegals build their resumes and become more competitive candidates for employment. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved 16 New York paralegal programs.1
2. Gain experience.
Many paralegal programs offer on-the-job experience including internships or job shadowing in a real-world legal environment. While experience is not required by the state of New York, it may reduce training time for new paralegals, so those with experience are typically favored by potential employers. Some entry-level paralegals work as document preparers or legal secretaries first and then pursue more specific paralegal training.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
There are several voluntary certification opportunities for paralegals in New York. While state-level licensure or certification is not required, obtaining voluntary certification can give paralegals a competitive edge. Read more about paralegal certification in New York below.
Paralegal Certification in New York
Though state-level certification is not required in most states, including New York, aspiring paralegals are encouraged to 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 the NALA 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.
New York Certification
In New York, paralegals must work under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney. The New York State Certified Paralegal (NYSCP) Program from the Empire State Alliance of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (ESAPA) offers voluntary state certification for eligible paralegals. The certification program recognizes paralegals who are at least 18 years old, residents of or employed in New York, “of good moral character,” are currently employed as a paralegal, and meet one of the following experience and educational requirements:
- Have passed the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. or the NALA Certified Paralegal Exam by the National Association of Legal Assistants (now known as NALA – The Paralegal Association)
- Have an associate degree in paralegal studies from an institutionally accredited school and six years of substantive paralegal experience
- Have an associate degree in any subject, a certificate from a paralegal program, and six years of substantive paralegal experience
- Have an associate degree in any subject and 10 years of substantive paralegal experience
- Have a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies and three years of substantive paralegal experience
- Have a bachelor’s degree in any subject, a certificate from a paralegal program, and three years of substantive paralegal experience
- Have a bachelor’s degree in any subject and six years of substantive paralegal experience
- Be a member of the active duty, retired, former military, or the reserve of any branch of the US Armed Forces or the equivalent as a supervisory paralegal within that branch of service and have 12 hours of continuing legal education (CLE), including one CLE hour of ethics within two years preceding the application
- Has received a high school diploma or the equivalent and has at least 12 years of substantive paralegal experience (before January 1, 2023 only).
Qualified paralegals can apply for the NYSCP credential by emailing the application, documentation, and required fees to the ESAPA. Submissions will be reviewed and approved within 60 days of receipt of the application.
New York Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
7.2%
Paralegals in New York from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that there were 30,930 paralegals and legal assistants employed in New York state, earning an average annual salary of $78,850.3 New York has the third-highest employment level for paralegals, has the fourth-highest concentration of paralegal jobs, and is the third-highest paying state for the profession.3
In addition, the New York metro area has the highest employment level for metropolitan areas and is the fifth-highest-paying metro area for paralegals.3 The job growth rate for paralegals in New York state is projected to be 7.2%, faster than the national projection of 4.2%.2
New York Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 30,930 | $55,290 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 1,390 | $63,540 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls | 1,790 | $59,290 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 32,460 | $80,240 |
| Rochester | 1,170 | $60,860 |
| Syracuse | 710 | $63,910 |
Paralegal Employers in New York
Law firms consistently hire paralegals in New York, with additional opportunities to find paralegal work in corporate departments, government agencies, and through freelance engagements. Other opportunities for paralegals can be found in government, particularly with the New York District Attorney, the New York City Law Department, and the New York State Governor’s Office.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (New York or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in New York with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
- Kirkland & Ellis
- Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
- Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
- Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
- United States Attorneys’ Offices
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in New York with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in New York
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.
- Capital District Paralegal Association (CDPA): Works to promote the image of paralegal professionals and offers benefits including continuing legal education and networking opportunities.
- Empire State Alliance of Paralegal Associations (ESAPA): Provides members with an extended statewide network of paralegals and legal professionals.
- New York City Paralegal Association (NYCPA): Provides regularly planned programs including meetings, seminars, and networking events designed to advance career growth.
- Paralegal Association of Rochester (PAR): Holds members-only educational, networking, and community service events throughout the year.
- Western New York Paralegal Association (WYNPA): Serves the western region of New York and offers strong opportunities for networking, education, and professional advancement.
Additional Resources
- New York City Bar: Features an extensive list of open job opportunities in New York City and maintains an extensive law library open to guests who are sponsored by a current bar member.
- New York Paralegal Interview: Our interview with Labor and Employment Lawyer Basil C. Sitaras.
- New York Paralegal Interview: Our interview with Laura Kryta, President of the Western New York Paralegal Association.
- New York Paralegal Interview: Our interview with Legal Business Development Coach Phyllis Weiss Haserot.
- New York State Bar Association: Provides an employment board that includes paralegal jobs in New York as well as other surrounding states.
- New York State Unified Court System Law Libraries: Provides an extensive law library, with a branch collection in each county in the state as provided for by state law as well as court information at all levels of the state judicial system.
- New York University School of Law Library: Provides legal professionals access to one the deepest legal collections in the world.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To find paralegal jobs in New York, be sure to visit our jobs board.
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