Paralegal in Washington

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

Median annual salary

$78,010

trending_up +27.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Washington.

engineering

9,070

Jobs (WA)

monitoring Stable

+0.2%

10-yr job growth

route How to become a paralegal in Washington

Washington State does not require a state license for paralegals. While the state previously offered a Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) program, it stopped accepting new candidates in 2020 and was discontinued in June 2024. Paralegals in Washington can enhance their professional standing by obtaining national certifications, such as the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) from the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $50,500

25th percentile $61,070

50th (median) $78,010

75th percentile $101,790

90th (experienced) $115,120

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

checklist Washington requirements

Licensing body	Washington State Bar Association
State license	Not required
Notes	Washington does not license traditional paralegals. The state pioneered the Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) role, a distinct profession licensed to provide limited legal services. However, the LLLT program stopped accepting new candidates in 2020, and the program was discontinued in June 2024. Existing LLLTs may continue to practice, but no new licenses are being issued. Paralegals in Washington can pursue national certifications like the Certified Paralegal (CP) from NALA or the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) from NFPA to enhance their credentials.

Source: Washington State Bar Association

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?

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a paralegal in Washington? expand_more

Reach out to Washington's licensing board for the current paralegal certification pathway.

Is a state license required for paralegals in Washington? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a paralegal in Washington. Note: Washington does not license traditional paralegals. The state pioneered the Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) role, a distinct profession licensed to provide limited legal services. However, the LLLT program stopped accepting new candidates in 2020, and the program was discontinued in June 2024. Existing LLLTs may continue to practice, but no new licenses are being issued. Paralegals in Washington can pursue national certifications like the Certified Paralegal (CP) from NALA or the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) from NFPA to enhance their credentials.

How much does a paralegal make in Washington? expand_more

The median paralegal salary in Washington is $78,010 per year. — 28% higher than the $61,010 national figure. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $50,500, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $115,120.

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