Rhode Island Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Generally speaking, entry-level paralegal jobs in Rhode Island require a degree in paralegal studies, such as an associate degree or a certificate. On this page, you will find up-to-date information on how to become a Rhode Island paralegal, certification options, salary, job outlook, and career resources to help you start a career in the paralegal field.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Rhode Island
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Rhode Island
As there are no formal Rhode Island paralegal certification requirements, aspiring paralegals can follow many different career paths. Most paralegals have education and experience, which may include internships or other work experience in a legal setting. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Rhode Island:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Earning a paralegal certificate, associate degree in paralegal studies, or paralegal bachelor’s degree from one of the paralegal schools in Rhode Island can help potential paralegals build their legal skills and make them more competitive applicants for entry-level paralegal jobs. One paralegal program in Rhode Island is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).1
2. Gain experience.
Gaining experience is another important step towards becoming a paralegal. Internships, job shadowing, and on-the-job training are often included in paralegal education programs. Not all programs require experience for degree credit, but taking advantage of real-world experience opportunities is recommended to make paralegal candidates more competitive in the job field. Some paralegals begin their careers as legal document preparers or legal secretaries before advancing in the profession.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Although Rhode Island does not require licensure or certification for paralegals, pursuing voluntary certification can help paralegals in their job search. National-level certification is available for paralegals in Rhode Island.
Paralegal Certification in Rhode Island
Paralegals, called legal paraprofessionals in Rhode Island, are permitted to complete legal tasks under the direct supervision of a qualified attorney. As in most states, Rhode Island paralegal certification is not required by state law. However, obtaining voluntary paralegal certification can show commitment to the field and provide networking opportunities. National organizations offer certification programs to maintain a consistent level of competency within the paralegal profession nationwide. 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) offer voluntary certification programs that are widely accepted by the industry as preparing candidates for professional excellence.
Obtaining voluntary certification from these associations is highly recommended and regarded favorably by many paralegal employers. For more information on national certification options, take a look at our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal. For more information regarding paralegal education and employment in Rhode Island please refer to the Rhode Island paralegal associations listed below.
Rhode Island Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
5.3%
Paralegals in Rhode Island from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported 1,450 paralegals and legal assistants employed in Rhode Island, earning an average annual salary of $70,220.3 Projections Central has estimated 5.3% growth for Rhode Island paralegals, which is faster than the 4.2% projected nationwide.2 Based on this growth, Rhode Island is projected to have 1,390 new paralegal positions and 140 average annual paralegal openings during that 10-year period.2
Rhode Island Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 1,450 | $70,220 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly CT-RI | 280 | $57,780 |
| Providence-Warwick RI-MA | 1,560 | $69,490 |
Paralegal Employers in Rhode Island
Private law firms are the primary employers of paralegals and legal assistants nationwide. Recently graduated paralegals may find promising Rhode Island paralegal jobs at large law firms based in urban centers, which generally practice in a variety of legal areas and tend to delegate paralegal labor based on subject area. This specialization allows paralegals to focus on a particular legal area. Corporations, government agencies, and other financial institutions also provide many opportunities for paralegal jobs in Rhode Island. Rhode Island paralegal jobs can also be found in various government agencies.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Rhode Island or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Rhode Island with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Brown University
- Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD
- Citizens
- CVS Health
- Liberty Title & Escrow Co, LLC
- State of Rhode Island
- Shechtman Halperin Savage LLP
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in Rhode Island with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in Rhode Island
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.
- Rhode Island Bar Association (RIBA): Strives to promote the administration of justice and uphold the high ethical standards of the legal professional throughout the state of Rhode Island while offering access to legal resources and statewide job postings.
- Rhode Island Paralegal Association (RIPA): Provides its statewide membership with professional development and continuing education opportunities year-round while promoting the paralegal profession in Rhode Island.
Additional Resources
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal jobs in Rhode Island, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- Rhode Island Judiciary: Serves as a portal offering access to all courts in the state’s jurisdiction and provides links to court rules, forms, and legal news.
- Rhode Island State Law Library: Hosts a robust collection on state law and has comprehensive holdings in primary source materials to serve the general public.
- Roger Williams University School of Law Library: Offers access to legal online sources, databases, and nearly 300,000 volumes on state and federal 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