Mississippi Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Mississippi does not regulate the paralegal profession, but many paralegals choose to complete a paralegal studies program and gain on-the-job experience to be more competitive in the job market. On this page, you will find information about Mississippi paralegal salaries, job outlook, and in-depth resources to help you explore a legal support career in the state.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Mississippi
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Mississippi
Mississippi does not regulate the paralegal profession, so paralegals and legal assistants may have a combination of paralegal education, experience, and on-site training at law firms or corporations. Most employers offering entry-level paralegal jobs in Mississippi prefer candidates with paralegal education or experience. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Mississippi:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Mississippi paralegal programs, including certificates in legal studies, paralegal associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies, can increase your knowledge of the legal system and teach you the skills required to be successful in the paralegal profession. There are Mississippi paralegal programs offered throughout the state, and the American Bar Association (ABA) has approved two of them.1
2. Gain experience.
Prospective paralegals can gain experience through job shadowing, internships, or other on-the-job experiences available during paralegal studies programs. If your program does not offer a work experience component, look for opportunities through paralegal associations or other networks. Work experience can help build your professional network when you are ready to search for jobs. Those who did not attend a Mississippi paralegal program may be able to enter the profession by beginning as a legal secretary or legal document preparer.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Voluntary paralegal certification through a national organization requires the completion of a paralegal education program and can set you apart from other candidates for paralegal jobs.
Paralegal Certification in Mississippi
Mississippi law requires non-lawyer assistants to be supervised by a lawyer and act professionally and ethically. Those interested in building a legal assisting career are highly encouraged to seek paralegal certification through a national paralegal association such as 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 organizations offer voluntary certification examinations that assess legal knowledge and ability. You can read more about national certification on our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal.
Mississippi Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
6.8%
Paralegals in Mississippi from 2022-20322
Recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 1,980 paralegals and legal assistants working in Mississippi, who earned an average annual salary of $46,620.3 Projections Central has projected an employment growth rate of 6.8% for paralegals and legal assistants in the state, which is faster than the nationwide estimate for that period, at 4.2%.2
Mississippi Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 1,980 | $46,620 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula | 270 | $46,470 |
| Hattiesburg | 50 | $51,020 |
| Jackson | 900 | $49,940 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 1,010 | $55,000 |
Paralegal Employers in Mississippi
Though many different types of organizations rely on legal support staff, law firms are the primary employers of paralegals and legal assistants nationwide. Large law firms generally practice in a wide range of legal areas and allocate paralegals to subject-focused groups, which may create promising opportunities for paralegals interested in specializing in a specific area of law. Government agencies also require paralegal support and may provide good opportunities for recently graduated paralegals seeking job experience.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Mississippi or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Mississippi with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Baker Donelson
- Butler Snow LLP
- Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A.
- Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP
- Morgan & Morgan, P.A.
- Phelps Dunbar LLP
- Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyers, P.A.
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in Mississippi with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in Mississippi
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.
- Mississippi Paralegal Association (MPA): Advocates to advance the paralegal profession and the use of legal support staff in Mississippi and offers regular professional development and networking meetings.
Additional Resources
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal openings in Mississippi, visit our jobs board.
- State Law Library of Mississippi: Provides public access to Mississippi General Laws, House & Senate Journals as well as local laws in the state.
- State of Mississippi Judiciary: Maintains a main web portal for all courts in the state’s jurisdiction with directories for all the courts, the most current versions of Mississippi laws, and additional electronic resources.
- University of Mississippi Grisham Law Library: Hosts a premier collection of legal materials, including primary and secondary legal sources in Mississippi law; study aids and exams; and electronic access to legal databases and e-journals.
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