This career is expected to grow 28 percent—much faster than average—through 2018. Employers are now hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers.

Demand for paralegals will be strong in areas such as intellectual property, health care, international law, elder issues, criminal law and environmental law.

Paralegals can find employment in private law firms; corporations; banks; federal, state, and local governmental agencies; consumer organizations; and the courts.

In 2008, paralegals and legal assistants earned an average salary of $46,120, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle 50 percent earned $36,080 to $59,310. The highest 10 percent earned more than $73,450.

Average salaries for paralegals in 2007, according to a survey by Legal Assistant Today magazine, were $52,979 (though corporate paralegals earned more: an average of $61,764)

Paralegals (also called legal assistants) perform many of the same tasks as lawyers, though they cannot set legal fees, give legal advice or present cases in court. Paralegals help lawyers prepare for closings, trials and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and identify appropriate laws and judicial decisions that are relevant to the case.

Some paralegals prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys file lawsuits, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments and draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court. Paralegals also organize and track case files.

Paralegals sometimes help draft contracts, mortgages and separation agreements. They also may assist in preparing tax returns, establishing trust funds and planning estates. Some paralegals coordinate the activities of other law office employees and maintain financial office records.

There are four common ways to become a paralegal: through a college program that leads to an associate degree in legal assisting or paralegal studies; by earning a certificate in paralegal studies; by obtaining a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in paralegal studies; or by working for an employer who trains on the job.

Approximately 260 paralegal programs (out of 1,000 or so nationwide) are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Graduation from an ABA-approved program can help you get a job.

The quality of paralegal training programs varies widely; always talk to a recent graduate (or two) before enrolling in a program.

Licensing: Although some employers do not require certification, several professional societies offer private certification. These include the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA); the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.; the National Federation of Paralegal Association; and the National Association for Legal Professionals.

Entering the Field: Obtain a certificate or associate degree in legal assisting, preferably from an ABA-approved program. Make sure your paralegal degree program is approved for professional certification in your state to ensure the best career advancement scenario.

Career Changers: Paralegals with career experience in other fields can be particularly useful to law firms. A background in tax preparation or criminal justice can make you especially desirable. Specialists in insurance (personal injury), medical areas, or the environment are in demand by legal firms who specialize in these same claim areas. Nursing or health administration experience is very valuable in personal injury law practices.