Utah Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
There are no statewide regulations for paralegals in Utah. However, most paralegals in the state have a degree in paralegal studies. On this page, you will find information on voluntary certification options, Utah paralegal salary information, job outlook, career resources, and information about how to become a paralegal in Utah.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Utah
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Utah
Because Utah does not have state-level paralegal certification requirements, prospective paralegals can follow various paths to enter the field. Most paralegals have a combination of education and experience.
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Many paralegals in Utah start by attending one of Utah’s paralegal schools. Earning a paralegal certificate, associate degree in paralegal studies, or paralegal bachelor’s degree from one of these schools can help paralegals enhance their resumes and become more competitive candidates for employment. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved one Utah paralegal program.1
2. Gain experience.
Many degree and certificate programs offer on-the-job experience, which may include internships, job shadowing, or other experience in real-world legal environments. Some paralegals begin their careers as legal document preparers or legal secretaries and advance to paralegal positions. On-the-job experience is often viewed favorably by employers, as it can reduce training time for new paralegals.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
There are several voluntary certification opportunities for paralegals in Utah. While state-level licensure or certification is not required, obtaining voluntary certification can give paralegals an advantage in their job search. Read more about paralegal certification in Utah below.
Paralegal Certification in Utah
Utah state law does not currently require any minimum education or training standards for paralegals. After completing a paralegal degree program, many paralegals 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), the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI), or the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). These organizations also offer continuing education programs for certified paralegals who want to advance their careers. You can learn more information about paralegal certification and education through the Utah paralegal associations listed below. You can also learn more about national certification on our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal.
Utah Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
13.1%
Paralegals in Utah from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported 3,190 paralegals and legal assistants working in the state of Utah, earning an average annual salary of $57,440.3 Projections Central has predicted a 13.1% increase in jobs for paralegals and legal assistants in Utah, which is significantly higher than the nationwide projection of 4.2% for paralegals over the same time period.2 The projected growth in Utah equates to approximately 540 new paralegal jobs added to the workforce over that 10-year period.2
Utah Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 3,190 | $57,440 |
| Ogden-Clearfield | 270 | $53,620 |
| Provo-Orem | 340 | $57,600 |
| Salt Lake City | 2,260 | $58,660 |
Paralegal Employers in Utah
Many paralegals choose to work in law firms, where the demand for paralegal support is often highest. Corporations, government agencies, insurance groups, and banks are also sources of paralegal jobs in Utah.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Utah or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Utah with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Brigham Young University
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Lexington Law Firm
- Progrexion
- Siegfried and Jensen
- Strong & Hanni Law Firm, PC
- State of Utah
- Utah Attorney General’s Office
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in Utah with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in Utah
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.
- Paralegal Division of the Utah State Bar: The Division strives to maintain high standards in the legal profession, provide continuing education opportunities, and encourage paralegals to network with each other throughout the state.
- Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association (RMPA): Serving paralegals throughout Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, RMPA has an active calendar of events including regular gatherings, networking opportunities, and continuing education seminars.
- Utah Paralegal Association (UPA): Seeks to promote the paralegal profession and advance employment opportunities for paralegals throughout the state.
Additional Resources
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal jobs in your area, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- Utah.gov: Official state website offers up-to-date information on changes in Utah law and maintains a database of employment opportunities that includes Utah paralegal jobs in government agencies across the state.
- Utah Courts: As the home portal for all courts in the state judiciary, this site provides a wealth of resources including links to individual court sections, court dockets, current court forms, rules, e-records, and e-filing systems, as well as the state law library with a collection of federal and state law resources.
- University of Utah James E. Faust Law Library: Hosts broad collections of state and national law, as well as numerous volumes on international law and various law reviews.
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