Paralegal in New Hampshire

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

Median annual salary
$60,640
trending_down -0.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Hampshire.

engineering
1,580

Jobs (NH)

monitoring Stable
+0.2%

10-yr job growth

payments
$250

Licensing fees

schedule
Not specified (certificate programs can be 6-12 months, associate degrees typically 2 years)

Time to complete

route How to become a paralegal in New Hampshire

New Hampshire does not require state licensing or certification for paralegals. While there are no state-mandated education or examination requirements, most employers prefer candidates with a paralegal certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree. Voluntary national certifications, such as those offered by NALA or NFPA, are highly recommended to enhance employment opportunities. The New Hampshire Supreme Court Rule 35 outlines the duties paralegals may perform under the supervision of an attorney, and a pilot program allows eligible paraprofessionals to appear in certain circuit courts under specific conditions, including educational and experience prerequisites.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,870
25th percentile $48,660
50th (median) $60,640
75th percentile $75,660
90th (experienced) $87,260

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

checklist New Hampshire requirements

Licensing bodyNew Hampshire Supreme Court
State license Not required
EducationNo specific state-mandated education, but employers typically prefer a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a related field. For the limited paraprofessional practice program under Supreme Court Rule 35, a bachelor's degree in any field or an associate's degree in a law-related field is required.
ExamNo state-mandated exam. National certification exams (e.g., NALA's Certified Paralegal (CP), NFPA's PACE/PCCE, NALS' PP) are voluntary but recommended. ($250)
NotesNew Hampshire does not license paralegals. However, New Hampshire Supreme Court Rule 35 defines paralegals and outlines duties they may perform under attorney supervision. A pilot program under Rule 35 allows eligible paraprofessionals to appear in certain circuit courts for clients with household income no greater than 300% of federal poverty guidelines. To qualify for this program, a paraprofessional needs a bachelor's degree in any field or an associate's degree in a law-related field, and at least 2 years of work experience in a law-related setting with attorney supervision. The supervising attorney must annually refile their written consent in October. This pilot program is set to expire on December 31, 2024.

Source: New Hampshire Supreme Court

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

What's required to work as a paralegal in New Hampshire? expand_more
New Hampshire requires paralegals to complete the required education (No specific state-mandated education, but employers typically prefer a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a related field. For the limited paraprofessional practice program under Supreme Court Rule 35, a bachelor's degree in any field or an associate's degree in a law-related field is required.), and pass the No state-mandated exam. National certification exams (e.g., NALA's Certified Paralegal (CP), NFPA's PACE/PCCE, NALS' PP) are voluntary but recommended..
Is a state license required for paralegals in New Hampshire? expand_more
New Hampshire does not require a state license for paralegals. Note: New Hampshire does not license paralegals. However, New Hampshire Supreme Court Rule 35 defines paralegals and outlines duties they may perform under attorney supervision. A pilot program under Rule 35 allows eligible paraprofessionals to appear in certain circuit courts for clients with household income no greater than 300% of federal poverty guidelines. To qualify for this program, a paraprofessional needs a bachelor's degree in any field or an associate's degree in a law-related field, and at least 2 years of work experience in a law-related setting with attorney supervision. The supervising attorney must annually refile their written consent in October. This pilot program is set to expire on December 31, 2024.
What do paralegals earn in New Hampshire? expand_more
New Hampshire paralegals bring home a median salary of $60,640. — within a few percent of the $61,010 national figure. The range spans from $35,870 at the entry level to $87,260 for top earners.
What's the total cost to get paralegal certified in New Hampshire? expand_more
Between exam fee ($250), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How long does it take to become a paralegal in New Hampshire? expand_more
In New Hampshire, becoming a paralegal generally takes Not specified (certificate programs can be 6-12 months, associate degrees typically 2 years), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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