Lu Hangley
NFPA Managing Director
816-941-4000
LuHangley@paralegals.org
November 9, 1999
NFPA RELEASES RESULTS OF 1999 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS SURVEY
In 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997 the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) conducted a compensation and benefits survey that has become a valued reference tool for employers and courts. With the release of results of the 1999 survey, definite trends have become evident.
For example, among the 1999 respondents slightly more were males (9%) compared to 1991 (6%). Ethnic diversity has increased. In 1991, only 5% of the respondents were not Anglo; by 1999 that figure has risen to 12%. In 1991, 78% of the respondents worked for a law firm. In 1999, 70% work for a law firm, suggesting an expansion of non-traditional roles and employers.
The average salary shows an increase from $29,607 in 1991 to $38, 085 in 1999. One of the highest average salaries by work activity was patents, at $43,949. New York had one of the highest average base salary ($48,277), closely followed by San Francisco ($47,239). The highest average base salary by type of employer was paid by the for-profit corporation, at $41,971. Interestingly, the freelance paralegals responding reported an average base salary of $41,846, suggesting that the expertise of these specialists is valued.
The complete survey results are available at a cost of $20 to NFPA members and $30 to non-members. You may order from NFPA's web site at www.paralegals.org/Publications, fax to NFPA at (816) 941-2725, or call NFPA at (816) 941-4000.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, NFPA is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 17,000 paralegals in the United States and Canada, NFPA is the national voice and the standard for excellence for the paralegal profession through its work on the issues of regulation, ethics and education.
