Where AI can help
AI can locate passages, summarize documents and draft material for review.
Legal · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Organize research, documents and case processes to support lawyers and legal teams. The work depends on precision, deadlines and confidentiality.
Observed AI exposureNot measured in this editionAnthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection-0.3%2025–2035
Education typically neededAssociate degreeBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Research law, decisions and case documents
- 02
Organize files, evidence and timelines
- 03
Prepare drafts and forms under supervision
- 04
Communicate deadlines and request information
- 05
Check citations, facts and filing requirements
An example of an output
An organized, reviewable and traceable research or filing package.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Law firms, legal departments and public agencies. The routine depends on formal deadlines and document review.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$69,700
Median annual pay$62,890
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$44,740
90th percentile$101,500
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025404,900
Projected openings per year40,800
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Privilege, strategy, legal interpretation and citation checking cannot be accepted without legal review.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Compare two public documents, build a fact table and flag which points require human verification.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Associate degree
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Researchdocument precisionconfidentialitydeadline management
Tools you may encounter
Case management systems · legal databases · document editors · calendars
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$86,090 Mean annual pay
Writers and Authors ↗
Research and argument organization can transfer to precise, source-based content.
- What you can carry over
- Research, structure and revision
- What you would need to learn
- Editorial voice, audience and publishing formats
What to consider
Legal writing follows different objectives and conventions from editorial content.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Compare two public documents, build a fact table and flag which points require human verification.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Paralegals and Legal AssistantsSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 23-2011.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗