Massachusetts Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
While Massachusetts does not regulate the paralegal profession, many jobs in the field require an associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies. On this page, you will find information on how to become a paralegal in Massachusetts, certification opportunities, career and salary outlook for paralegals in the state, and professional resources for the entry-level and beyond.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Massachusetts
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Massachusetts
Since there are no laws regulating paralegal certification in Massachusetts, paralegals may pursue several paths to becoming a paralegal professional. Most Massachusetts paralegals hold a combination of education and experience. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Massachusetts:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Although there are no mandated educational requirements for paralegals in Massachusetts, earning a paralegal certificate, associate degree in legal studies, or bachelor’s in paralegal studies from one of the paralegal schools in Massachusetts is strongly encouraged. Currently, there are five approved paralegal programs by the American Bar Association (ABA).1
2. Gain experience.
Through degree or certificate programs, paralegal candidates are typically offered invaluable on-the-job experience through internships or job shadowing opportunities. This type of real-world experience can help new paralegals in their job searches, as previous experience can reduce training time for new hires. Some paralegals start as legal secretaries or administrative assistants and move into paralegal jobs as they gain experience.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Although obtaining certification through a national or state association is voluntary, pursuing certification can demonstrate to potential employers a paralegal’s dedication and commitment to the profession.
Paralegal Certification in Massachusetts
Though there is no Massachusetts paralegal certification requirement, many paralegals, classified as legal paraprofessionals in the state, seek certification through a national organization such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), or the National Association for Legal Professionals (NALS). All of these organizations offer voluntary certification programs including examinations designed to raise the national level of competency and professionalism in the paralegal occupation. These certification exams have various education and work experience prerequisites that should be met before applying. Prospective paralegals are also encouraged to seek guidance from the Massachusetts paralegal associations listed below. For more information on national certification options, take a look at our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal.
Massachusetts Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
3.1%
Paralegals in Massachusetts from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that 7,520 paralegals and legal assistants were employed in Massachusetts, earning an average annual salary of $74,710.2 The Boston-Cambridge-Nashua metropolitan area was the seventh-highest-paying metro area for paralegals and legal assistants in the nation. Paralegals in Massachusetts have a projected job growth rate of 3.1%, slightly slower than the national growth expected for the profession, at 4.2%.2
Massachusetts Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 7,520 | $64,220 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 6,000 | $77,050 |
| Providence-Warwick RI-MA | 1,560 | $69,490 |
| Springfield MA-CT | 450 | $63,260 |
| Worcester MA-CT | 490 | $66,070 |
Paralegal Employers in Massachusetts
Though many national corporations are expanding their internal legal departments to include a larger degree of paralegal labor, most paralegals and legal assistants in the US continue to find employment at private law firms. Corporate positions for paralegals are also available throughout Massachusetts and are concentrated in the Boston metropolitan area. Government agencies, insurance agencies, and other financial institutions and insurance groups throughout the state may also offer promising opportunities for recently certified paralegals seeking work experience in the paralegal field.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Massachusetts or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Massachusetts with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Fragomen
- Goodwin
- Harmon Law Offices, P.C.
- Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
- Mintz
- Ropes & Gray LLP
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in Massachusetts with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in Massachusetts
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.
- Central Massachusetts Paralegal Association (CMPA): Hosts year-round networking and professional development events for its members, emphasizing professional relationships between paralegals and the greater legal community throughout central Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Paralegal Association (MPA): Promotes the paralegal profession in Massachusetts and all of New England with regular meetings, professional seminars, and a members-only job board.
- Western Massachusetts Paralegal Association (WMPA): Promotes the professional development of its members and the entire paralegal profession in western Massachusetts through educational programs, networking events, and professional discounts.
Additional Resources
- Massachusett Courts: Provides links to legal resources and court forms, as well as contact information for court officials for all courts within the state’s court system, and links to 17 trial court libraries throughout the state.
- New England Law Boston Law Library: This library allows access to its print collection, which includes resources on international, federal, and state law, for students, alumni, faculty, and staff as well as active attorneys who can present identification.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: Search for Massachusetts paralegal jobs on our jobs board.
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