Do paralegals need a license in Maine?

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

How to Become a Paralegal in Maine (2026)

Q: How much do paralegals earn in Maine?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paralegals in Maine earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,420. Employment concentration in Maine is roughly 0.75 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 Maine?

Maine currently employs approximately 1,210 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

Maine paralegals and legal assistants earn a median annual wage of $62,420 ($30.01/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,210 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -0.7% below the national median of $62,890 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $62,420 ($30.01/hr)
25th percentile: $57,840 per year
75th percentile: $71,500 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $80,550 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $48,260 per year
Workers employed in Maine: 1,210
Versus national median: -0.7% below the U.S. median of $62,890
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.75 - this occupation is less concentrated in Maine than the national average

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

Maine employs about 1,210 paralegals earning a median $62,420 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 Maine

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	Middlesex Community College	62.1	$6,048 in-state / $12,120 out-of-state	$56,301	23%	Yes*	206 mi
2	Massachusetts Bay Community College	58.1	$5,856 in-state / $10,800 out-of-state	$56,076	17%	Yes*	218 mi
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3	NHTI-Concord's Community College	56.4	$7,200 in-state / $15,450 out-of-state	$55,056	29%	Yes*	173 mi
4	Bunker Hill Community College	55.2	$6,168 in-state / $11,112 out-of-state	$56,376	13%	Yes*	210 mi
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5	Northern Essex Community College	52.4	$6,732 in-state / $12,516 out-of-state	$52,743	21%	Yes*	183 mi
6	Quincy College	49.7	$8,938	$59,190	15%	Yes*	216 mi
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7	Nashua Community College	49.0	$7,140 in-state / $15,390 out-of-state	$54,792	38%	Yes*	196 mi
8	North Shore Community College	46.7	$5,352 in-state / $10,920 out-of-state	$54,714	18%	—	194 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.

Maine employs approximately 1,210 paralegals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,420 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 Maine, 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 (Maine): $62,420 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paralegal in Maine

How to become a Paralegal in Maine? Maine 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 Maine varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

Do I need a license in Maine? 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 Maine? The median annual wage for paralegals in Maine is $62,420 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,260 and experienced professionals can earn $80,550 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paralegal in Maine

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Maine training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved paralegal program in Maine 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 Maine 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 Maine

Maine 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 Maine for details on certification preparation courses.

Paralegal Wages by Metro Area in Maine

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Maine

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Portland-South Portland	700	$64,280	$69,100	$57,160	$80,580
Bangor	120	$58,280	$59,860	$47,590	$77,370
Lewiston-Auburn	90	$58,430	$58,150	$47,720	$73,100

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 Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 1,210 paralegals ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do paralegals earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paralegals in Maine is $62,420, which is $1,410 above the national median of $61,010 according to BLS data ¹.

In Maine

Best Trade Schools in Maine (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Maine

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)