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Employment in legal occupations is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations, and will result in about 67,600 new jobs. As law firms try to increase the efficiency of legal services and reduce their costs, there is expected to be strong demand to hire more paralegals and legal assistants. Additionally, the demand for lawyers is expected to continue as individuals, businesses, and governments require legal services in many areas. 

The median annual wage for legal occupations was $84,910 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.

BLS provides summary data, including employment projections, for legal occupations not shown in the table on this page. That information is available on the Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail page.

  OCCUPATION JOB SUMMARY ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help 2020 MEDIAN PAY Help
arbitrators mediators and conciliators image Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and dialogue between disputing parties to help resolve conflicts outside of the court system.

 Bachelor's degree $66,130
Court reporters Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners

Court reporters create word-for-word transcriptions at trials, depositions, and other legal proceedings. Simultaneous captioners provide similar transcriptions for television or for presentations in other settings, such as press conferences and business meetings, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 Postsecondary nondegree award $61,660
Judges, mediators, and hearing officers Judges and Hearing Officers

Judges and hearing officers apply the law by overseeing the legal process in courts.

 Doctoral or professional degree $124,200
Lawyers Lawyers

Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes.

 Doctoral or professional degree $126,930
Paralegals and legal assistants Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers. 

 Associate's degree $52,920

Last Modified Date: Friday, May 14, 2021