Paralegal in North Dakota

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

Median annual salary
$59,910
trending_down -1.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Dakota.

engineering
610

Jobs (ND)

monitoring Stable
+0.2%

10-yr job growth

schedule
Not specified (depends on education and experience pathway)

Time to complete

route How to become a paralegal in North Dakota

To become a paralegal in North Dakota, there is no mandatory state licensing or certification. Regulation is primarily through the supervising attorney. While not required, aspiring paralegals can meet suggested guidelines by graduating from an ABA-approved paralegal program, completing a non-ABA approved program with specific credit hours, holding a bachelor's degree with relevant paralegal coursework or experience, or successfully completing a national certifying examination.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $41,870
25th percentile $50,100
50th (median) $59,910
75th percentile $71,030
90th (experienced) $77,160

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

checklist North Dakota requirements

Licensing bodyNo state licensing body; regulation is through the supervising attorney.
State license Not required
EducationOne of the following: graduation from an ABA-approved paralegal program; graduation from a non-ABA approved paralegal program (minimum 60 semester credit hours, 18 of which are substantive paralegal courses); a bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of employer training or 18 semester credit hours of substantive paralegal courses; or successful completion of a national certifying examination for paralegals that includes continuing legal education for maintenance of certification; or seven years of experience working as a paralegal under the supervision of a lawyer.
ExamNo state-mandated exam; national certifications are voluntary (e.g., NALA's CLA/CP, NFPA's PACE/PCCE).
NotesThere is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in North Dakota. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. Voluntary certification is available through national organizations like NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants) and NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). The North Dakota Supreme Court Rule 5.3 provides guidelines for paralegal qualifications.

Source: No state licensing body; regulation is through the 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 you get certified as a paralegal in North Dakota? expand_more
North Dakota requires paralegals to complete the required education (One of the following: graduation from an ABA-approved paralegal program; graduation from a non-ABA approved paralegal program (minimum 60 semester credit hours, 18 of which are substantive paralegal courses); a bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of employer training or 18 semester credit hours of substantive paralegal courses; or successful completion of a national certifying examination for paralegals that includes continuing legal education for maintenance of certification; or seven years of experience working as a paralegal under the supervision of a lawyer.), and pass the No state-mandated exam; national certifications are voluntary (e.g., NALA's CLA/CP, NFPA's PACE/PCCE)..
Is a state license required for paralegals in North Dakota? expand_more
North Dakota does not require a state license for paralegals. Note: There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in North Dakota. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. Voluntary certification is available through national organizations like NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants) and NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). The North Dakota Supreme Court Rule 5.3 provides guidelines for paralegal qualifications.
What is the average paralegal salary in North Dakota? expand_more
paralegals in North Dakota earn a median of $59,910 annually. This is close to the national median of $61,010. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $41,870, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $77,160.
What's the timeline to become a paralegal in North Dakota? expand_more
In North Dakota, becoming a paralegal generally takes Not specified (depends on education and experience pathway), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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