Paralegal in New Jersey

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

Median annual salary
$62,790
trending_up +2.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Jersey.

engineering
11,720

Jobs (NJ)

monitoring Stable
+0.2%

10-yr job growth

route How to become a paralegal in New Jersey

In New Jersey, there is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal. While the New Jersey Supreme Court has a Committee on Paralegal Education and Regulation, it does not regulate or license paralegals. However, individuals can pursue voluntary certifications, such as the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP) credential from the South Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA), to enhance their professional standing. Most employers prefer candidates with an associate's or bachelor's degree in paralegal studies or a related field, or a paralegal certificate.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $44,540
25th percentile $51,670
50th (median) $62,790
75th percentile $78,040
90th (experienced) $98,360

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

checklist New Jersey requirements

Licensing bodyN/A (No mandatory state licensing)
State license Not required
NotesThere is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in New Jersey. The New Jersey Supreme Court has a Committee on Paralegal Education and Regulation, but it does not regulate or license paralegals. Voluntary certifications are available through national organizations like NALA (Certified Paralegal, CP) and NFPA, as well as a state-specific certification, the New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP), offered by the South Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA).

Source: N/A (No mandatory state licensing)

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.
arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a paralegal in New Jersey? expand_more
To become a paralegal in New Jersey, contact the state licensing board for requirements.
Is a state license required for paralegals in New Jersey? expand_more
paralegals in New Jersey are not required to hold a state license. Note: There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in New Jersey. The New Jersey Supreme Court has a Committee on Paralegal Education and Regulation, but it does not regulate or license paralegals. Voluntary certifications are available through national organizations like NALA (Certified Paralegal, CP) and NFPA, as well as a state-specific certification, the New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP), offered by the South Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA).
How much do paralegals make in New Jersey? expand_more
paralegals in New Jersey earn a median of $62,790 annually. That's roughly in line with the $61,010 national median. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $44,540, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $98,360.

Explore more