Ohio Paralegal Career and Salary Guide

An associate degree or paralegal certificate is generally the entry-level requirement for paralegals in Ohio. This career guide is designed to help those interested in careers as Ohio paralegals get started with up-to-date information on voluntary certification options, career and salary outlook, and additional paralegal resources.

Table of Contents

• How to Become a Paralegal in Ohio
• Paralegal Certification
• Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
• Paralegal Resources

How to Become a Paralegal in Ohio

Since Ohio does not require statewide paralegal certification, aspiring paralegals can follow different paths to enter the legal profession. Most paralegals possess a combination of education and experience. Here are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Ohio:

1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.

There are numerous paralegal schools in Ohio that offer associate degrees in paralegal studies, paralegal bachelor’s degrees, and paralegal certificates. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved eight of these programs.¹

2. Gain experience.

Most educational programs offer opportunities to gain real-world experience, including internships and job shadowing. Taking advantage of such opportunities can help paralegal candidates build their skills and make them more competitive for entry-level jobs.

3. Seek certification, if desired.

Even though Ohio does not require state-level certification for paralegals, earning voluntary certification is a great way to build credentials and expand networking opportunities. You can read more about Ohio certification below.

Paralegal Certification in Ohio

Ohio defines a paralegal as someone qualified through education, work experience, or a combination of both, and serves under the direct supervision of a licensed Ohio attorney. Ohio, like most states, has no state-wide requirements for paralegals. However, upon graduation from a paralegal certification program, paralegals in Ohio are encouraged to seek voluntary national certification through organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association); the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA); and the American Alliance of Paralegals Inc. (AAPI). Though national certification is voluntary, paralegals certified through these organizations have met a professional standard of excellence. Prospective paralegals and legal assistants are also encouraged to consult with the Ohio paralegal associations listed below. For more information on how to become a paralegal, see our Paralegal411 guide How to Become a Paralegal.

Ohio Certification

Ohio also has a voluntary state certification program through the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), which offers an annual certification exam for those with sufficient work experience and education. Paralegals who meet the OSBA definition of a “paralegal,” meet the eligibility requirements, and pass a written exam will be designated as OSBA Certified Paralegals. While voluntary, obtaining certification through the OSBA demonstrates a commitment to the profession.

Ohio Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that 8,910 paralegals and legal assistants worked in Ohio.³ Ohio paralegals earned an average annual salary of $57,360.³ The number of paralegal positions is expected to decrease by 1.9% in Ohio, while nationally it is projected to increase by 4.2%.²

Ohio Paralegal Salary by Metro Area

Paralegal Employers in Ohio

Paralegal opportunities abound in Ohio’s law firms, corporations, and government agencies. Corporate legal departments and regional, state, and local government agencies may also need paralegal assistance. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Ohio or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Ohio with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:

• Cleveland Clinic
• Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
• Fifth Third Bank
• Lerner, Sampson & Rothfuss
• MDK
• Nationwide
• Reisenfeld & Associates LPA, LLC
• Reminger Co. LPA

For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.

Paralegal Resources

Here are some resources to help paralegals in Ohio with professional development, networking, and career growth.

Paralegal Associations in Ohio

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.

• Cincinnati Bar Association (CBA): Supports and promotes the paralegal profession in the Cincinnati area and maintains an independent, locally-focused jobs board including postings for paralegals and legal assistants.
• Cincinnati Paralegal Association (CPA): Promotes the paralegal profession and the individual development of paralegals through regular events, membership meetings, continuing educational opportunities, pro bono services, and networking dinners.
• Cleveland Association of Paralegals (CAP): Provides members with a strong and extended network through the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA), giving members access to a members-only job board and a full calendar of networking and professional development events.
• Dayton Bar Association (DBA): Promotes lawyers and legal professionals in the Dayton community through various special interest groups and a referral service.
• Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA): Provides members access to networking events and continuing education opportunities, and strives to grow the paralegal profession through the largest legal network in Ohio.
• Paralegal Association of Central Ohio (PACO): Serving all of Central Ohio, PACO actively promotes the interests of paralegals and the legal professionals through career development seminars, legal clinics, and retreats.
• Paralegal Association of Northwest Ohio (PANO): Offers scholarships, continuing legal education, a members-only job bank, and monthly luncheons for paralegals in the Toledo area.
• Toledo Bar Association: Offers Toledo area paralegals access to continuing educational opportunities, a job board, pro bono opportunities, and membership events.

Additional Resources

• Hamilton County Law Library: Offers subscriptions to lawyers and law firms for circulation of materials as well as continuing education seminars and training on using legal information databases.
• Ohio State University Moritz Law Library: Supports scholarship and instruction in the law through education and serves as a valuable resource to Ohio lawyers, judges, paralegals, and citizens.
• Ohio Supreme Court Law Library: With a collection comprising nearly 500,000 volumes and professional links for all courts within the state’s jurisdiction the Ohio Supreme Court Law Library is one of the largest state Supreme Court libraries in the US.
• Paralegal411 Jobs Board: Search for paralegal job openings in the private and public sectors.
• Supreme Court of Ohio: The official website of the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Judicial System includes professional links as well as links of interest for all courts within the state’s jurisdiction.

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