Paralegal in North Carolina

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

Median annual salary

$49,390

trending_down -19.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Carolina.

engineering

12,270

Jobs (NC)

monitoring Stable

+0.2%

10-yr job growth

payments

$225

Licensing fees

route How to become a paralegal in North Carolina

To become a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal, individuals must meet specific educational requirements and pass the North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal Examination. The certification is voluntary and not required to work as a paralegal in the state. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents and can qualify through various educational paths, including a qualified paralegal studies program or a combination of education and experience. The application fee is $125, and the exam fee is $100. Certification must be renewed annually, requiring 6 hours of continuing paralegal education, with at least one hour in ethics or professional responsibility.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,150

25th percentile $44,810

50th (median) $49,390

75th percentile $62,420

90th (experienced) $82,380

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

checklist North Carolina requirements

Licensing body	North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification
State license	Not required
Education	For voluntary certification: Must have 'qualified paralegal education' as defined by the board.
Exam	North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal Examination ($100)
Application fee	$125
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	6.0 hours per cycle
Notes	North Carolina does not require a license to work as a paralegal. However, the NC State Bar offers a comprehensive voluntary certification program to become a 'North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal'. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents. There are several educational pathways, including a qualified paralegal studies program, a paralegal certificate with an associate's or bachelor's degree, a Juris Doctorate, or a high school diploma with five years (10,000 hours) of experience and one hour of professional responsibility CLE within 12 months prior to application. National paralegal certifications (CLA/CP from NALA, PACE-RP/CRP from NFPA, or PP from NALS) can also fulfill the educational requirement. The exam is typically offered twice a year, in June and October.

Source: North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification

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 you get certified as a paralegal in North Carolina? expand_more

To become a paralegal in North Carolina, you need to complete the required education (For voluntary certification: Must have 'qualified paralegal education' as defined by the board.), pass the North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal Examination, and submit your application ($125 fee).

Can I work as a paralegal in North Carolina without a license? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a paralegal in North Carolina. Note: North Carolina does not require a license to work as a paralegal. However, the NC State Bar offers a comprehensive voluntary certification program to become a 'North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal'. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents. There are several educational pathways, including a qualified paralegal studies program, a paralegal certificate with an associate's or bachelor's degree, a Juris Doctorate, or a high school diploma with five years (10,000 hours) of experience and one hour of professional responsibility CLE within 12 months prior to application. National paralegal certifications (CLA/CP from NALA, PACE-RP/CRP from NFPA, or PP from NALS) can also fulfill the educational requirement. The exam is typically offered twice a year, in June and October.

What is the average paralegal salary in North Carolina? expand_more

In North Carolina, the median pay for paralegals comes to $49,390/year. — 19% under the $61,010 national average. The range spans from $37,150 at the entry level to $82,380 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a paralegal in North Carolina? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($100) and application fee ($125) and required training.

How many CE hours do paralegals need in North Carolina? expand_more

License renewal in North Carolina requires completing 6.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.