Do paralegals need a license in Colorado?

No statewide license is required for paralegals in Colorado. Most employers expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal), and AAfPE Certificate.

How to Become a Paralegal in Colorado (2026)

Q: How much do paralegals earn in Colorado?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paralegals in Colorado earned a median annual wage of approximately $78,190. Employment concentration in Colorado is roughly 0.77 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for paralegals in Colorado?

Colorado currently employs approximately 5,620 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Colorado paralegals and legal assistants earn a median annual wage of $78,190 ($37.59/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 5,620 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 24.3% above the national median of $62,890 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $78,190 ($37.59/hr)
25th percentile: $62,560 per year
75th percentile: $95,070 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $106,160 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $56,930 per year
Workers employed in Colorado: 5,620
Versus national median: 24.3% above the U.S. median of $62,890
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.77 - this occupation is less concentrated in Colorado than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Colorado employs about 5,620 paralegals earning a median $78,190 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most paralegals train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Compare Paralegal Schools in Colorado

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Laramie County Community College	67.1	$4,613 in-state / $10,913 out-of-state	$49,818	38%	Yes*	104 mi
2	Casper College	62.5	$4,470 in-state / $10,770 out-of-state	$46,963	43%	Yes*	218 mi
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3	Front Range Community College	61.3	$4,663 in-state / $17,263 out-of-state	$50,353	35%	Yes*	31 mi
4	Arapahoe Community College	57.3	$4,434 in-state / $17,034 out-of-state	$57,589	29%	Yes*	31 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Colorado Mountain College	52.3	$2,616 in-state / $12,840 out-of-state	$55,406	27%	Yes*	94 mi
6	Pikes Peak State College	50.3	$4,510 in-state / $17,110 out-of-state	$48,538	21%	Yes*	79 mi
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7	Community College of Aurora	47.0	$4,470 in-state / $17,070 out-of-state	$51,722	33%	Yes*	41 mi
8	Santa Fe Community College	46.6	$1,851 in-state / $4,131 out-of-state	$53,855	23%	Yes*	286 mi
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9	Navajo Technical University	43.0	$4,346	Not reported	12%	Yes*	313 mi
10	IBMC College	37.9	Contact school for pricing	$38,488	86%	—	61 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Colorado employs approximately 5,620 paralegals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $78,190 ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 39,300 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Paralegal in Colorado, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (Colorado): $78,190 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paralegal in Colorado

How to become a Paralegal in Colorado? Colorado does not require a state license for paralegals, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? paralegal training length in Colorado varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

Do I need a license in Colorado? No state license is required, but certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate are expected by most employers.

What do paralegals earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for paralegals in Colorado is $78,190 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $56,930 and experienced professionals can earn $106,160 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paralegal in Colorado

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Colorado training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved paralegal program in Colorado that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While Colorado does not require a statewide license, earn CP (Certified Paralegal) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Paralegal Certification Options in Colorado

Colorado does not require a state license to work as a paralegal. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for paralegals include:

CP (Certified Paralegal)
AAfPE Certificate

For more information, visit the NALA - Paralegal Association ³. Contact training programs in Colorado for details on certification preparation courses.

Paralegal Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), paralegals and legal assistants wages in Colorado vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Denver-Aurora-Centennial	3,740	$80,500	$85,240	$60,590	$111,560
Colorado Springs	560	$64,830	$75,900	$49,830	$111,160
Boulder	400	$66,090	$72,440	$53,880	$98,760
Fort Collins-Loveland	350	$69,440	$68,100	$49,380	$81,890
Grand Junction	100	$61,420	$67,920	$56,780	$89,910
Greeley	90	$64,620	$68,180	$46,440	$92,420
Pueblo	70	$59,880	$59,330	$42,780	$89,650

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for paralegals in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 5,620 paralegals ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Colorado? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Colorado.

How much do paralegals earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paralegals in Colorado is $78,190, which is $17,180 above the national median of $61,010 according to BLS data ¹.

In Colorado

Best Trade Schools in Colorado (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Colorado

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NALA - Paralegal Association: https://www.nala.org/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)