Paralegals and legal assistants
SOC Code: 23-2011
Paralegals and legal assistants carries a 41% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $61,010 and +0.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 376,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 41% AI exposure, Paralegals and legal assistants sits 4 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 71% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Paralegals and legal assistants sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Paralegals and legal assistants has ai exposure of 41%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Paralegals and legal assistants vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Paralegals and legal assistants is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Paralegals and legal assistants (SOC 23-2011) carries an AI exposure score of 41%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 376,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +0.2% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $61,010, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Associate's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Paralegals and legal assistants. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- 2. Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- 3. Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- 4. Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- 5. Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- 6. Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
- 7. File pleadings with court clerks.
- 8. Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
- 9. Call upon witnesses to testify at hearings.
- 10. Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.
Key Skills Required
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Economics and Accounting
- Personnel and Human Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Paralegals and legal assistants?
Paralegals and legal assistants has an AI exposure score of 41%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Paralegals and legal assistants?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow by 0.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 376,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Paralegals and legal assistants?
Key skills for Paralegals and legal assistants include Writing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is Associate's degree.
How much do Paralegals and legal assistants earn?
The median annual wage for Paralegals and legal assistants is $61,010, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Paralegals and legal assistants?
The typical entry-level education for Paralegals and legal assistants is Associate's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Paralegals and legal assistants?
Paralegals and legal assistants roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).