Alabama Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
This guide to Alabama paralegal careers is designed to help individuals interested in the legal field learn how to become paralegals and succeed in the Alabama job market. On this page, you will find information about the steps to becoming a paralegal in Alabama, paralegal salary and occupational projections, and helpful resources to help you launch your paralegal career.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Alabama
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Alabama
As in most states, Alabama does not require certification for paralegals, who are also referred to as legal assistants. Therefore, paralegals working in Alabama enter the profession from various backgrounds. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Alabama:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
There are many paralegal schools in Alabama that offer a paralegal associate’s degree or paralegal certificate in paralegal studies. These programs provide entry-level knowledge and skills training to help new paralegals gain confidence before entering the job market. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved seven paralegal schools in Alabama that offer programs in paralegal studies.1
2. Gain experience.
Externships, internships, and job shadowing experiences are excellent career development and networking tools for prospective paralegals and may give candidates an edge in the competition for Alabama paralegal jobs. These opportunities may be offered through paralegal education programs or directly by employers. Work experience programs can be useful for recent job-seeking graduates to build professional networks.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Although it is not required in the state, paralegals may pursue voluntary certification through a national association. Taking this extra step can strengthen your job application and open up new opportunities. You can read more about certification below.
Paralegal Certification in Alabama
Alabama paralegals and lawyers employing paralegals must ensure they do not give false impressions to clients or the public of the paralegal’s nonlawyer status, which includes clearly noting the paralegal’s job title as a “legal assistant” on company business cards. For those interested in voluntary certification, 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 nationally respected voluntary paralegal certification programs for individuals with a paralegal studies degree or certificate. For further information on voluntary certification opportunities, see our guide to becoming a paralegal.
Alabama Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
5.3%
Paralegals in Alabama from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that 4,000 paralegals and legal assistants were employed in Alabama, earning an average salary of $53,450.3 Though this is lower than the national average paralegal salary of $66,460, it should be noted that the cost of living in Alabama trends lower than national averages.3 Candidates with paralegal education, voluntary certification, and work experience may be more competitive for new openings and may command a higher salary.
Compared to the projected 4.2% growth in employment for paralegals and legal assistants nationwide, Alabama is projected to see slightly higher growth at 5.3%, according to Projections Central.2 This could result in an average of 430 job openings across the state annually.2
Alabama Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
---|---|---|
Statewide | 4,000 | $53,450 |
Birmingham-Hoover | 1,720 | $58,550 |
Huntsville | 320 | $55,030 |
Mobile | 380 | $50,980 |
Montgomery | 570 | $50,980 |
Paralegal Employers in Alabama
Paralegals in Alabama can find employment opportunities in corporate legal departments, government agencies, and private law firms. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Alabama or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Alabama with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys
- Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
- Burr & Forman
- Carr Allison
- Dentons Sirote
- Maynard Nexsen
- State of Alabama
- The University of Alabama
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Paralegal Associations in Alabama
These are volunteer organizations, typically with elected boards, that focus on professional development and networking for a specific geography and/or area of law.
- Alabama Association of Paralegals (AAPi): Holds three annual seminars that focus on continuing education and professional development in addition to regular meetings and training events.
- Alabama State Bar (ASB): Supports legal professionals in Alabama and maintains a jobs board that frequently includes Alabama paralegal jobs from across the state.
Additional Resources
- Alabama Career Interview: Daniel Burnick: Read career advice from Alabama Employment Lawyer Daniel Burnick.
- Alabama Judicial System: Provides access to e-filing systems for appellate and trial courts; court calendars; court rules and mediation information; and more.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: For paralegal jobs in Alabama, check out our jobs board.
- Samford University Lucille Stewart Beeson Law Library: Maintains a collection of legal resources, including shelved volumes and electronic databases, available to legal professionals with proper identification.
- University of Alabama Bounds Law Library: Houses over 550,000 print volumes available to legal professionals and the general public for performing legal research.
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