Washington Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Washington has no statewide requirements for becoming a paralegal or a legal assistant. However, most entry-level paralegal jobs in the state require an associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies. On this page, you will find information on how to become a paralegal in Washington, voluntary certification opportunities, paralegal career and salary outlook, and valuable career resources to help you become competitive in the job market.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Washington
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Washington
Most paralegals in Washington have a combination of education and experience. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Washington:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Washington has several schools that offer paralegal certification programs leading to a paralegal certificate or associate degree in paralegal studies. Explore the steps to becoming a paralegal in Washington, including certification requirements, salary outlook by city, and career opportunities in top law firms and agencies. Five of these are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).1
2. Gain experience.
Many certificate and degree programs offer on-the-job training that can give paralegal candidates real-world experience and increase their hiring potential. Some entry-level paralegals work as document preparers or legal secretaries first, then pursue more specific paralegal training.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Washington does not mandate any specific paralegal certification. However, many employers prefer paralegals with voluntary certification from a recognized organization. You can read more about certification options below.
Paralegal Certification in Washington
In Washington, a paralegal is defined as a person qualified through education, work experience, or a combination of both, and serves under the direct supervision of a licensed Washington attorney. Paralegals and legal assistants in Washington are strongly encouraged to seek voluntary certification through a national paralegal or legal assistant association 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). All of these organizations offer continuing education and certification programs for paralegals interested in boosting their credentials and maintaining a high degree of proficiency in the field. For more information on how to become a paralegal, see our Paralegal411 guide How to Become a Paralegal.
Washington Certification
Paralegals working in Spokane County may wish to register as a paralegal in the county through the Spokane Paralegal Registration Program maintained by the Spokane County Bar Association (SCBA). Registration does not confer membership in the Bar Association, but does include exclusive benefits, including continuing educational opportunities, a Spokane County courthouse badge, and members-only networking events.
Washington Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
10.3%
Paralegals in Washington from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported 7,960 paralegals and legal assistants employed in Washington, earning an average annual salary of $75,560.3 Washington ranked as the fourth-highest-paying state for paralegals in the country.3 The estimated employment growth for paralegals in Washington is projected to be 10.3%, faster than national projections for this occupation at 4.2%.2
Washington Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 7,960 | $75,560 |
| Bellingham | 190 | $60,550 |
| Olympia-Tumwater | 470 | $60,110 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,510 | $73,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 5,170 | $83,210 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 650 | $60,280 |
Paralegal Employers in Washington
Though law firms are the primary employers of paralegals, government agencies and other organizations also rely on paralegal and legal assistant support and may provide good opportunities for recent paralegal graduates. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Washington or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Washington with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Amazon
- Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- Microsoft
- Perkins Coie LLP
- University of Washington
- Washington State Office of the Attorney General
For further details on paralegal careers, visit our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in Washington with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in Washington
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.
- King County Bar Association (KCBA): Seeks to promote legal professionals in King County through encouraging pro bono work, offering networking opportunities, and a members-only job board.
- NALS of Greater Seattle: Promotes the paralegal profession in the greater Seattle area through regular meetings, educational events, exclusive member discounts, and frequent member meetings.
- NALS of Washington: Strives to help paralegals across the state uphold high standards of the legal profession, hosts three conferences annually, and provides a strong community for networking opportunities.
- Washington State Bar Association: The Washington State Bar Association hosts a public employment board that includes many Washington paralegal jobs.
- Washington State Paralegal Association (WSPA): Serves paralegals across Washington, working to promote the paralegal profession and the professional development of members through frequent seminars, conferences, and regular meetings.
Additional Resources
- University of Washington School of Law: Gallagher Law Library: Hosting a world-class collection of legal materials and an electronic database for legal research, the library is open to the public and legal professionals who are not affiliated with the university during regular hours.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: Search for paralegal career opportunities in Washington on our jobs board.
- Washington Courts: Serves as a portal to all major courts in the state’s jurisdiction, allowing visitors to access court and case search functions, view the rules of the courts, access court forms, and provide access to individual county law libraries.
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