There are currently an estimated 285,600 paralegals in the United States. The paralegal job market is expected to grow by 14.6% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are paralegals?
CareerExplorer rates paralegals with a B- employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 48,500 paralegals. That number is based on 41,800 additional paralegals, and the retirement of 6,700 existing paralegals.
What’s the supply of paralegals?
The paralegal industry is concentrated in California, Florida, New York
Paralegal job market by state
| State Name | Employed Paralegals |
|---|---|
| California | 30,790 |
| Florida | 27,460 |
| New York | 24,240 |
| Texas | 22,730 |
| Illinois | 12,070 |
| Pennsylvania | 11,590 |
| North Carolina | 9,190 |
| Virginia | 8,790 |
| Georgia | 8,460 |
| New Jersey | 8,060 |
| Ohio | 7,820 |
| Massachusetts | 7,720 |
| Maryland | 6,890 |
| Michigan | 6,250 |
| Arizona | 5,920 |
| Washington | 5,490 |
| Colorado | 5,420 |
| South Carolina | 5,350 |
| District of Columbia | 5,260 |
| Connecticut | 5,110 |
| Minnesota | 5,020 |
| Wisconsin | 4,720 |
| Missouri | 4,490 |
| Louisiana | 4,440 |
| Indiana | 3,670 |
| Oregon | 3,630 |
| Tennessee | 3,540 |
| Alabama | 3,010 |
| Kentucky | 2,770 |
| Oklahoma | 2,620 |
| Utah | 2,340 |
| Nevada | 2,200 |
| Iowa | 2,160 |
| West Virginia | 2,050 |
| Kansas | 2,020 |
| Mississippi | 1,760 |
| Arkansas | 1,670 |
| Nebraska | 1,560 |
| New Mexico | 1,510 |
| Delaware | 1,350 |
| Rhode Island | 1,340 |
| Maine | 1,280 |
| New Hampshire | 1,110 |
| Idaho | 1,000 |
| Montana | 940 |
| Hawaii | 910 |
| Puerto Rico | 900 |
| Vermont | 670 |
| North Dakota | 590 |
| Alaska | 550 |
| Wyoming | 440 |
| South Dakota | 410 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | 110 |
| Guam | 50 |