Florida Paralegal Career and Salary Guide

Florida Paralegal Schools

In general, the entry-level education required for a paralegal career in Florida is an associate’s degree or certificate. This page provides detailed information about Florida paralegal careers, salaries, professional resources, and more.

How to Become a Paralegal in Florida

Florida does not set education or certification requirements for paralegals at the state level, so there are different pathways that you can take to become a paralegal in the state. Most paralegals in the state have a combination of education and experience. National certification is available but not required. Below are the basic steps to become a paralegal in Florida:

1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.

Earning an associate degree in legal studies, certificate in paralegal studies, or paralegal bachelor’s degree from one of the paralegal schools in Florida can help candidates build their skill sets and become more competitive applicants for paralegal positions. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved 10 paralegal education programs in Florida.¹

2. Gain experience.

Internships, job shadowing, and other opportunities to gain real-world experience are often part of a paralegal program’s curriculum. While not all programs will require experience for degree credit, taking advantage of such opportunities is typically recommended. This is because, in addition to learning opportunities, students often find that these experiences help them build a professional network.

3. Seek certification, if desired.

While Florida does not require paralegal licensure or certification, earning a voluntary certificate or credential can help your application stand out when you apply for paralegal jobs and show potential employers that you have an in-depth understanding of the field.

Paralegal Certification in Florida

Florida, like most other states, does not have certification requirements for paralegals. Florida defines paralegals as paraprofessionals who can perform specified legal tasks under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney. A degree or certificate in paralegal studies can also qualify you for voluntary certification from organizations like 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). For further information on certification opportunities, see our guide to becoming a paralegal.

Florida Certification

At the state level, registration with the Florida Bar is not mandatory; however, the Florida Registered Paralegal (FRP) Program offers voluntary paralegal registration for professionals who meet eligibility requirements through a combination of education, certification, and work experience. You can qualify if you have one of the following:

A bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from an approved program and one year of paralegal work experience
An accredited bachelor’s degree or higher and three years of paralegal work experience
An associate degree in paralegal studies from an approved paralegal program and two years of paralegal work experience
An associate degree from an accredited school and four years of paralegal work experience
A juris doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited school and one year of paralegal work experience
A juris doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited school and out-of-state licensure in good standing
Completion of the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) certification from NFPA
Completion of the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) certification from NALA
Designation by attestation

You can read more about the FRP Program on the Florida Bar website.

Florida Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook

Projected Job Growth

13.5%

Paralegals in Florida from 2022-2032²

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that there were 35,020 paralegals and legal assistants working in Florida, with an average annual salary of $61,830.³ Florida had the second-highest employment level and the second-highest concentration of jobs for paralegals of any other state.³ In Florida, the job growth rate for paralegals far exceeds the national average, as projections call for 13.5% job growth for paralegals, compared to 4.2% job growth for paralegals nationally.²

Florida Paralegal Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Number Employed⁴	Average Annual Salary⁴
Statewide	35,020	$61,830
Jacksonville	1,990	$59,960
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach	12,420	$66,140
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford	5,640	$57,270
Tallahassee	830	$53,060
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater	6,260	$65,440

Paralegal Employers in Florida

Florida paralegals can find opportunities to work in corporate legal departments, government agencies, or private law firms. They may also find positions in smaller businesses and state or local government agencies. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Florida or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Florida with the most users as paralegals include:

Citi
Cole, Scott & Kissane PA
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Luks, Santaniello, Petrillo, Cohen & Peterfriend
Morgan & Morgan, P.A.
Quintairos, Prieto, Wood, & Boyer P.A.
US Army

Visit our careers page to learn more about different career tracks for paralegals.

Paralegal Resources

Paralegal Associations in Florida

These are volunteer organizations, typically with elected boards, that focus on professional development and networking for a specific geography and/or area of law.

Central Florida Paralegal Association, Inc. (CEPA): Encourages community service with events throughout the year. The association also supports current and future paralegal students in their studies.
Northeast Florida Paralegal Association, Inc. (NEFPA): Provides benefits such as professional development, a job bank, scholarships, mentoring, and more.
Northwest Florida Paralegal Association (NWFPA): Focuses on the ethical and professional development of paralegals, with regular meetings, seminars, and other activities relevant to the interests of area paralegals and other legal professionals.
Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. (PAFINC): Statewide association that welcomes members from all areas of Florida, with annual seminars and additional events throughout the year supported by 11 statewide chapters.
South Florida Paralegal Association (SFPA): Seeks to advance the paralegal profession through member development, paralegal advocacy, and public awareness. Member benefits include membership in affiliate organizations, admission to annual meetings and events, and access to career opportunities.
Southwest Florida Paralegal Association, Inc. (SWFPA): Supports area paralegals through networking, education, and professional advancement.
Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc. (TBPA): Provides members with opportunities for scholarships, continuing education, certification, networking, and other career advancement activities, including community service.

Additional Resources

Florida Bar: Posts paralegal jobs across the state as well as legal news, events, and other items of interest.
Florida Courts: Provides links to all courts within the system, as well as an overview of the state’s court structure and locations.
Florida Supreme Court: Access an easy-to-use docket search, the Supreme Court’s online law library, past Court opinions, and more.
Paralegal411 Job Board: For paralegal job openings in Florida, visit our jobs board.
University of Miami School of Law Library: One of the largest law libraries in the Southeast with over 620,000 volumes. The library is open to guests for legal research, although days and times may be restricted to the public during exam periods.

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://www.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