North Carolina Paralegal Career and Salary Guide

Although North Carolina does not have statewide regulations for paralegals, most begin their careers with a certificate or associate degree in paralegal studies. This guide is your starting point for exploring a career as a paralegal or legal assistant. On this page, you will learn how to become a paralegal in North Carolina, about voluntary certification options, the projected career and salary outlook in the state, and gain access to career resources.

Table of Contents

• How to Become a Paralegal in North Carolina
• Paralegal Certification
• Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
• Paralegal Resources

How to Become a Paralegal in North Carolina

Like most states, North Carolina does not have statewide regulatory requirements for paralegals. Most paralegals in North Carolina start with a combination of education and practical experience. Below are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in North Carolina:

1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.

Many North Carolina paralegals begin their careers by attending a North Carolina paralegal school. By earning an associate degree in paralegal studies, a paralegal bachelor’s degree, or a paralegal certificate, paralegals can build their resumes and gain a competitive advantage in the job market. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved seven paralegal programs throughout the state.¹

2. Gain experience.

On-the-job training is a critical part of most legal studies programs for students to learn how law offices work while gaining valuable networking connections. Real-world experience in legal studies programs often includes job shadowing or internships; outside of legal studies programs, on-the-job training can be found through apprenticeships or volunteer opportunities.

3. Seek certification, if desired.

While certification is not required in North Carolina, several voluntary programs can enhance a paralegal’s qualifications. Obtaining certification can distinguish paralegal candidates from other job applicants by highlighting their commitment to and expertise in the profession. Read more about paralegal certification in North Carolina below.

Paralegal Certification in North Carolina

In North Carolina, paralegals must work under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney. Many paralegals and legal assistants seek national certification 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). The purpose of these certification programs is to establish nationwide standards for paralegals and legal assistants, ensuring consistent, high-level competency and professionalism. Read our Steps to Become a Paralegal page for more information on certification options.

North Carolina Certification

The North Carolina State Bar’s Plan for Certification of Paralegals allows paralegals and legal assistants who are nationally certified to gain voluntary certification and use the title North Carolina Certified Paralegal. Certification through the state bar requires some formal paralegal training in the form of a certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in paralegal studies; a juris doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school; or a high school diploma or the equivalent plus five years (10,000 hours) of experience.

Those who have completed qualifying education are eligible to sit for the North Carolina Certified Paralegal Exam. After passing the exam, certified paralegals must complete continuing education each year to maintain their North Carolina paralegal certification. For more information regarding paralegal education, certification, and employment in North Carolina, please refer to the North Carolina State Bar website or one of the North Carolina paralegal associations listed below.

North Carolina Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported an estimated 12,160 paralegals and legal assistants employed in North Carolina, earning an average annual salary of $57,860.³ Projections Central estimates 4.2% employment growth for paralegals and legal assistants nationwide and 7.8% growth in North Carolina.² This is based on a projected 1,420 average annual job openings.²

North Carolina Paralegal Salary by Metro Area

Paralegal Employers in North Carolina

Though most North Carolina paralegal jobs are in private law firms, corporations, banks, and government agencies also require paralegal support staff and may provide newly qualified paralegals and legal assistants with promising and diverse positions. In addition to law firms, many corporate internal legal departments are undergoing expansion, resulting in the creation of positions for paralegals.

LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (North Carolina or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in North Carolina with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:

• Bank of America
• Cranfill Sumner LLP
• Legal Aid of North Carolina
• Ogletree Deakins
• Ward and Smith, P.A.
• Wells Fargo
• Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP

For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.

Paralegal Resources

Here are some resources to help paralegals in North Carolina with professional development, networking, and career growth.

Paralegal Associations in North Carolina

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.

• Metrolina Paralegal Association (MPA): Serves paralegals and legal assistants across the greater Charlotte area and actively promotes scholarships and internships for paralegal students.
• North Carolina Paralegal Association (NCPA): Promotes the paralegal profession throughout the state and offers an extensive educational and information network consisting of attorneys, law firms, paralegals, legal assistants, and other legal professionals.
• Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association (RWPA): Serves legal professionals and paralegal students in Wake County and Research Triangle Park through networking and continuing educational opportunities.
• Research Triangle Paralegal Association (RTPA): Provides a smaller environment for paralegals working in Research Triangle Park and hosts bi-monthly luncheons to promote personal and professional growth.

Additional Resources

• North Carolina Judicial Branch: Provides quick links to all court home pages, judicial forms search, e-filings, and the North Carolina Supreme Court Library, while also publishing news alerts for updates to state laws and changes in court rules, fees, and other matters of interest to legal professionals.
• Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for North Carolina paralegal jobs, see our jobs board.
• University of North Carolina Kathrine R. Everett Law Library: Located on the main campus of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, this law library is open to legal professionals and members of the public.

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