New Hampshire Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Like most other states, New Hampshire does not regulate the profession of legal assistants and paralegals, so there are many possible career paths for prospective paralegals in the state. On this page, you will find information about New Hampshire paralegal salary, job outlook, and professional resources to help you plan your career in the paralegal field.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in New Hampshire
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in New Hampshire
Since New Hampshire paralegal certification is not a requirement to begin a paralegal career in the state, candidates may take a variety of career paths. A combination of formal paralegal education, relevant work experience, and national paralegal certification will benefit candidates in the competition for open positions. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in New Hampshire:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
The most common first step is pursuing a certificate in paralegal studies or associate degree in legal studies from one of the paralegal schools in New Hampshire. Paralegal studies programs provide a foundational understanding of the legal system and various areas of the law where paralegals may practice, such as litigation; contracts and torts; and legal research. One New Hampshire paralegal school is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).1
2. Gain experience.
Gaining experience through internships, externships, co-op placements, or job shadowing can help you land your first job after completing paralegal studies. Employers often prefer candidates who have demonstrated skills in the legal field rather than those who require extensive training. Look for work experience programs available through your school or paralegal employers. Others start as legal secretaries or legal document preparers and work their way up the career ladder.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
After completing their paralegal program, prospective paralegals and legal assistants are encouraged to seek voluntary certification through a national paralegal association. Certification can provide a competitive edge in job searches and is available nationally for candidates in New Hampshire.
Paralegal Certification in New Hampshire
According to New Hampshire law, paralegals are classified as non-lawyer assistants who are permitted to perform law-related tasks only under the supervision of a qualified attorney. Voluntary certification, such as that offered by 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), are available to candidates with a paralegal studies degree or certificate. For more information on how to earn voluntary paralegal certification, see our guide on becoming a paralegal.
offer certification examinations and continuing education programs which can give paralegals a competitive career edge.
New Hampshire Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
6.7%
Paralegals in New Hampshire from 2022-20322
In May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 1,460 paralegals and legal assistants working in New Hampshire, with an average annual salary of $59,810.3 Projections Central estimates 6.7% growth in New Hampshire, which is faster than the 4.2% growth expected for the profession nationwide during the same period.2 This estimate is based on 90 anticipated new paralegal positions in the state and 150 average annual openings over the 10-year period.2
New Hampshire Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 1,460 | $59,810 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 6,000 | $77,050 |
| Dover-Durham, NH-ME | 50 | $61,260 |
| Manchester | 380 | $63,320 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | 220 | $60,940 |
Paralegal Employers in New Hampshire
Law firms are the primary employers of paralegals and legal assistants nationwide. Large firms in urban areas generally offer the greatest compensation and tend to allocate paralegals to subject-specific teams, providing opportunities for specialization. Paralegals may also find employment at one of the many corporations based in New Hampshire. Government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels provide additional career opportunities for paralegals and may offer a slightly different experience compared to larger firms and corporations.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (New Hampshire or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in New Hampshire with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Devine Millimet | Attorneys at Law
- McLane Middleton, Professional Association
- New Hampshire Public Defender
- Orr & Reno
- Shaheen & Gordon, P.A.
- Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green PA
- State of New Hampshire
- University of New Hampshire
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in New Hampshire with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in New Hampshire
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.
- New Hampshire Bar Association (NHBA): Provides resources for those working in legal professions and maintains a page of classified ads for paralegal jobs in New Hampshire.
- Paralegal Association of New Hampshire (PANH): Offers membership benefits such as networking and professional development opportunities as well as scholarships and volunteer service events.
Additional Resources
- New Hampshire Judicial Branch: Provides links to all courts within the state, as well as access to court forms, e-filing systems, court rules, and mediation and arbitration services.
- Paralegal411 Job Board: To look for paralegal openings in New Hampshire, visit our jobs board.
- The John W. King New Hampshire Law Library: Provides public access to legal materials on-site and numerous digital guides to assist with legal research.
- University of New Hampshire School of Law Library: Allows licensed attorneys and paralegals to access the library’s collections; the Intellectual Property Library; and the Patent and Trademark Resource Center.
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