Paralegal in Georgia

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for GA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$55,120
trending_down -9.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Georgia.

engineering
14,480

Jobs (GA)

monitoring Stable
+0.2%

10-yr job growth

route How to become a paralegal in Georgia

In Georgia, there is no mandatory state licensing or certification for paralegals; instead, regulation occurs through the supervising attorney. While not required, voluntary national certification is highly recommended by the Georgia Association of Paralegals to demonstrate competency. Aspiring paralegals typically pursue an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a post-secondary paralegal certificate, and can then seek national certifications like NALA's Certified Paralegal (CP) or NFPA's Registered Paralegal (RP) by passing their respective exams.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $36,770
25th percentile $45,250
50th (median) $55,120
75th percentile $73,900
90th (experienced) $92,500

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Georgia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Georgia requirements

Licensing bodyNo state licensing body; regulation is through supervising attorney
State license Not required
EducationMost employers require an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a related field, or a post-secondary paralegal certificate. Voluntary national certifications typically require graduation from an ABA-approved paralegal program, an associate's or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in any field plus a paralegal certificate or specific paralegal coursework.
NotesThere is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in Georgia. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. Paralegals in Georgia are considered non-lawyers and must work under the supervision of an attorney. Voluntary certification is available through national organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). Some externship opportunities may require background checks and drug screenings.

Source: No state licensing body; regulation is through supervising attorney

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+0.2%
Average
Annual openings
39,300
Nationwide per year
Total employment
376,200
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.29/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

  • infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
  • warningElevated AI disruption risk
psychology
Wondering if a paralegal career is the right fit?
See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.
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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a paralegal in Georgia? expand_more
Georgia requires paralegals to complete the required education (Most employers require an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a related field, or a post-secondary paralegal certificate. Voluntary national certifications typically require graduation from an ABA-approved paralegal program, an associate's or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in any field plus a paralegal certificate or specific paralegal coursework.).
Can I work as a paralegal in Georgia without a license? expand_more
Georgia does not require a state license for paralegals. Note: There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in Georgia. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. Paralegals in Georgia are considered non-lawyers and must work under the supervision of an attorney. Voluntary certification is available through national organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). Some externship opportunities may require background checks and drug screenings.
How much do paralegals make in Georgia? expand_more
The median paralegal salary in Georgia is $55,120 per year. — 10% under the $61,010 national average. The range spans from $36,770 at the entry level to $92,500 for top earners.

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