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