CertOutlook

Paralegal in Oregon

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

Median annual salary
$63,970
trending_up +4.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Oregon.

engineering
4,910

Jobs (OR)

monitoring Stable
+0.2%

10-yr job growth

schedule
Not specified, but experience hours must be completed within 18-36 months prior to application depending on the pathway.

Time to complete

route How to become a paralegal in Oregon

To become a Licensed Paralegal (LP) in Oregon, individuals must be licensed by the Oregon State Bar. Applicants need to meet foundational education or experience requirements, such as an associate's or bachelor's degree, a J.D., national paralegal certification, or extensive paralegal experience. Additionally, 20 hours of pre-licensure professional education and 1,500 hours of substantive paralegal experience (750 hours for J.D. holders) within 18-36 months prior to application are mandatory. The process includes a Portfolio Assessment and an LP Entry Exam covering legal ethics and the scope of the LP license. LPs are authorized to provide limited legal services in family and landlord-tenant law.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $47,840
25th percentile $53,780
50th (median) $63,970
75th percentile $79,720
90th (experienced) $99,780

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

checklist Oregon requirements

Licensing bodyOregon State Bar
State license Required
EducationAssociate degree in paralegal studies, a bachelor's degree in any discipline, a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) law degree, a national paralegal certification, extensive paralegal experience (5 years full-time or 7,500 hours), or an approved education waiver. Additionally, 20 hours of pre-licensure professional education are required within 18 months prior to licensure.
Experience1,500.0 hours
ExamLP Entry Exam (multiple-choice, covering legal ethics/professional responsibility and scope of LP license) and Portfolio Assessment
NotesOregon established a Licensed Paralegal (LP) program in January 2024, allowing individuals to provide limited legal services directly to the public in specific practice areas (family law and landlord-tenant law). Applicants must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate character and fitness. LPs are subject to the same regulatory framework as Oregon lawyers, including malpractice insurance requirements. Reciprocity is not specified.

Source: Oregon State Bar

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?

  • check_circleOregon license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • warningElevated AI disruption risk
psychology
Wondering if a paralegal career is the right fit?
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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a paralegal in Oregon? expand_more
Oregon requires paralegals to complete the required education (Associate degree in paralegal studies, a bachelor's degree in any discipline, a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) law degree, a national paralegal certification, extensive paralegal experience (5 years full-time or 7,500 hours), or an approved education waiver. Additionally, 20 hours of pre-licensure professional education are required within 18 months prior to licensure.), gain 1,500.0 hours of supervised experience, and pass the LP Entry Exam (multiple-choice, covering legal ethics/professional responsibility and scope of LP license) and Portfolio Assessment.
Does Oregon require paralegal licensure? expand_more
You cannot practice as a paralegal in Oregon without a state license from Oregon State Bar. The required exam is the LP Entry Exam (multiple-choice, covering legal ethics/professional responsibility and scope of LP license) and Portfolio Assessment.
How much do paralegals make in Oregon? expand_more
paralegals in Oregon earn a median of $63,970 annually. That's roughly in line with the $61,010 national median. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $47,840, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $99,780.
How quickly can I become a paralegal in Oregon? expand_more
Expect to spend Not specified, but experience hours must be completed within 18-36 months prior to application depending on the pathway. from start to finish in Oregon — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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