Arizona Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
This guide to Arizona paralegal careers answers common questions about becoming a paralegal in the state and helps you start your legal career. Currently, certification is not mandatory to become a paralegal in Arizona, but voluntary credentials are available to candidates with education or experience. This page provides Arizona paralegal salary data, job outlooks, and resources to help you launch your career.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Arizona
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Arizona
Arizona paralegals may follow different career paths since there are no set requirements for paralegals at the state level. Below are the basic steps to become a paralegal in Arizona:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Many employers prefer to hire candidates with some paralegal studies education, such as a certificate in paralegal studies or an associate degree in legal studies. Fortunately, many schools in Arizona offer paralegal programs that can teach the foundational skills necessary to succeed. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved two paralegal studies programs in Arizona.1
2. Gain experience.
Experience working in a legal setting can give you a competitive advantage when looking for a paralegal job. Paralegal studies programs may offer internship, externship, or work experience programs designed for students to gain entry-level experience. Law firms and other organizations that hire paralegals may also offer opportunities. These programs can help you meet new contacts and build a professional network in the paralegal field.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Voluntary certifications such as the Legal Paraprofessional (LP) designation from the Arizona Judicial Branch and others from national paralegal organizations are available to qualified candidates. These certifications can help you stand out when applying for paralegal jobs. You can read more about certification options below.
Paralegal Certification in Arizona
Currently, there are no certification requirements to work as a paralegal in Arizona. However, it is important to recognize that paralegals must practice under the direct supervision of an attorney unless they have been certified as Arizona Licensed Document Preparers (LDPs) or LPs.
Voluntary national certification is also available to candidates with a paralegal studies degree through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), or the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI). These national certifications are generally accepted to signify an individual has achieved professional competency in the paralegal field. To learn more about earning voluntary national certification, visit our guide to becoming a paralegal.
Arizona Certification
Arizona paralegals may gain a career edge by pursuing state-level certifications that enable them to perform some legal tasks independently. The LDP credential allows individuals to prepare documents and related services without attorney supervision. The LP credential allows qualified individuals to complete legal tasks in a specific area of the law after passing a competency exam. These certifications allow paralegals to take on more responsibilities as they advance in their careers. A paralegal studies certificate or degree or seven years of paralegal work experience is required to be eligible for LP certification, and both credentials require passing an exam.
Arizona Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
13.4%
Paralegals in Arizona from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported 7,550 paralegals and legal assistants employed in Arizona.3 Paralegals in Arizona earned an annual average wage of $65,400.3 However, it should be noted that the average paralegal salary in Arizona is based on many factors, including experience, education, and location. According to Projections Central, employment of paralegals and legal assistants in Arizona is expected to grow by 13.4%.2 This growth compares favorably with the 4.2% projected growth rate for paralegals and legal assistants nationwide.2
Arizona Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 7,550 | $65,400 |
| Flagstaff | 90 | $55,770 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 60 | $55,620 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale | 5,830 | $68,380 |
| Prescott | 140 | $54,330 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | 80 | $42,570 |
| Tucson | 810 | $56,670 |
| Yuma | 90 | $57,850 |
Paralegal Employers in Arizona
Paralegals in Arizona can find opportunities to work for corporate legal departments, government agencies, and private law firms. Paralegals can also find opportunities at corporations, smaller businesses, and state and local government agencies. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Arizona or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Arizona with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Arizona Attorney General’s Office
- Arizona State University
- Lexington Law Firm
- Maricopa County
- Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
- Snell & Wilmer
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Paralegal Associations in Arizona
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.
- Arizona Association of Independent Paralegals (AAIP): Provides support services to Arizona paralegals who are also Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparers, including professional meetings and seminars; continuing education; and community service events.
- Arizona Paralegal Association (APA): Provides opportunities for members to build professional networks across the state through monthly continuing education opportunities and annual seminars.
- Maricopa County Bar Association (MCBA) Paralegal Division: Offers a variety of free and nominal-cost professional development tools and events for Arizona paralegals.
Additional Resources
- Arizona Attorney General: Arizona paralegal and legal secretary jobs in government are often posted here.
- Arizona Judicial Branch: Provides links to and information about courts throughout the state, including court publications, e-filing systems, and court rules, as well as find information about state court-related programs and self-help legal resources.
- Maricopa County Law Library: Maintains a wide-ranging print collection open to the public, online legal research tools for state and federal research, and access to online databases.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal jobs in your area of Arizona, visit our jobs board.
- Ross-Blakley Law Library: Provides law students with access to a comprehensive collection of primary and secondary legal authority sources for educational purposes and offers limited visitor services to the general public.
- State of Arizona Research Library: Hosts four main collections in Family History, Federal Publications, Law, and State Publications; the Patent and Trademark Resource Center; and the Digital Arizona Library with online access to reference resources.
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