Best Paralegal Schools & Programs in Raleigh, North Carolina 2026

Comparing paralegal schools in Raleigh, North Carolina starts with the local labor market and the credentials each program offers. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $57,500 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Raleigh Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$57,500BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment13,650 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Wake County establishments840BLS QCEW, 2024
Wake County industry employment5,500BLS QCEW, 2024
Wake County unemployment rate3.1%BLS LAUS, 2024
North Carolina location quotient1.09BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

What You’ll Find Below

The school listings below are sorted by proximity to Raleigh. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the Wake County and North Carolina figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.

Flexible Paralegal Programs

Now Accepting Students in Raleigh, North Carolina:


Paralegal Schools near Raleigh


North Carolina Paralegal Salary in North Carolina

Median Salary $57,500 $27.64/hr
Average Salary $60,770 $29.22/hr
State National Diff
Median Wage $57,500 $62,890 -8.6%
Mean Wage $60,770 $69,700 -12.8%

Salary Range

$38,570 10th pctl
$57,500 Median
$84,410 90th pctl
10th Percentile $38,570 $18.54/hr
25th Percentile $47,640 $22.90/hr
75th Percentile $71,930 $34.58/hr
90th Percentile $84,410 $40.58/hr

Employment & Outlook

Total Employed13,650
Jobs per 1,0002.8

Paralegals and Legal Assistants (23-2011) • BLS OEWS, May 2025 • bls.gov/oes


How to Become a Paralegal in North Carolina

  1. Complete an ABA-approved paralegal certificate or associate degree program.
  2. Build experience through internships or entry-level roles in law firms, courts, or corporate legal teams.
  3. Earn credentials by sitting for exams such as the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) or NFPA Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE), then maintain continuing education.

How to Choose the Right Paralegal School

  • Confirm the program is ABA-approved or recommended by your state bar association.
  • Review coursework for legal research, litigation, contracts, and law office technology.
  • Compare career services and internship placement to build connections in North Carolina.
  • Look for flexible online, evening, or accelerated formats that align with your schedule.
  • Ask about certification prep for NALA, NFPA, or NALS credentials.



Explore Your Next Steps


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.