1999 Paralegal Compensation and Benefits Report
Executive Summary

Executive Summary

This survey collected information from paralegal members and non-members across the country regarding demographics, education, compensation, benefits, satisfaction levels, employer types, and other topics of interest to the paralegal profession. The following table presents the average responses concerning important aspects of a paralegal's job and characteristics of members of the paralegal profession.

Characteristic Average Response 1999
Percentage or Average of Population with Characteristic		 1997
Percentage or Average of Population with Characteristic		 1995
Percentage or Average of Population with Characteristic		 1993
Percentage or Average of Population with Characteristic		 1991
Percentage or Average of Population with Characteristic
Gender Female 91% 92% 94% 93% 94%
Race Caucasian 88% 91% 95% 94% 95%
Age Average 38 38 38 37 36
Education-College Bachelor degree 53% 53% 54% 55% 52%
Education-Paralegal Paralegal studies

ABA-approved

 83%

67%

 85%

64%

 85%

64%

 n/a

n/a

 81%

65%

Employer Type Law firm 70% 71% 71% 71% 78%
Time Employed as a Paralegal Average 7 to 10
years		 7 to 10
years		 7 to 10
years		 3 to 10
years		 6
years
Billing Rate $81-90/hour 53% 66% 74% 75% n/a
Salary Average $38,085 $34,514 $32,875 $31,021 $29,607
Bonus Average bonus

Percent receiving a bonus

$2,225

64%

 $2,094

64%

 $1,869

63%

 $1,620

68%

 $1,565

65%

Benefits Vacation

Paid sick leave

Life insurance

Fully-paid employee medical insurance

Pension or retirement plan

Savings plan [401(k) type]

 85%

74%

65%



50%


40%


65%

 90%

78%

68%



52%


45%


65%

 91%

80%

70%



54%


45%


63%

 82%

73%

71%



53%


50%


59%

 89%

79%

73%



63%


50%


n/a

Areas of Greatest Satisfaction Responsibility

Benefits

Attorney Contact

 35%

n/a

35%

 33%

34%

n/a

 36%

35%

n/a

    
Areas of Least Satisfaction Bonus

Secretary
Support

Office Space

Salary

 46%


38%

26%

30%

 45%


29%

36%

 45%


30%

    



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