How to Become A Paralegal in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 13,650 paralegals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,500 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 North Carolina, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Paralegal in North Carolina
How do I become a paralegal in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Certified Paralegal. The licensing authority is the NC State Bar - Paralegal Certification 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for paralegals. The NC State Bar - Paralegal Certification oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do paralegals earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for paralegals in North Carolina is $57,500 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,570 and experienced professionals can earn $84,410 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: NC State Bar - Paralegal Certification
- Median wage (North Carolina): $57,500 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Paralegal License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC State Bar - Paralegal Certification oversees paralegal licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Paralegal | Paralegals and legal assistants do a variety of tasks to support lawyers, including maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Paralegal Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), paralegals and legal assistants wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 4,140 | $59,870 | $66,200 | $43,160 | $99,530 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,540 | $61,880 | $63,060 | $38,690 | $85,560 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 1,670 | $59,790 | $60,600 | $47,460 | $77,720 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 890 | $52,500 | $61,690 | $46,280 | $89,720 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 860 | $58,650 | $58,740 | $38,180 | $77,250 |
| Winston-Salem | 830 | $50,680 | $55,240 | $38,840 | $75,040 |
| Asheville | 590 | $57,500 | $60,290 | $46,190 | $77,670 |
| Wilmington | 580 | $56,060 | $56,840 | $40,090 | $75,600 |
| Fayetteville | 420 | $60,370 | $57,500 | $37,970 | $74,400 |
| Jacksonville | 210 | $51,630 | $55,360 | $36,460 | $78,850 |
| Greenville | 200 | $47,530 | $49,340 | $35,960 | $63,790 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 200 | $48,530 | $51,240 | $32,070 | $73,490 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 120 | $49,430 | $55,140 | $37,170 | $70,520 |
| Rocky Mount | 120 | $49,140 | $52,580 | $34,270 | $68,630 |
| Burlington | 110 | $51,620 | $55,260 | $37,440 | $71,240 |
| Goldsboro | 80 | $49,890 | $51,240 | $33,280 | $62,710 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Paralegals in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest paralegal employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 4,140 | $59,870 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,540 | $61,880 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 890 | $52,500 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 860 | $58,650 |
| Winston-Salem | 830 | $50,680 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for paralegals in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 13,650 paralegals 1. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a paralegal in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC State Bar - Paralegal Certification for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina.
How much do paralegals earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paralegals in North Carolina is $57,500, which is $3,510 below the national median of $61,010 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC State Bar - Paralegal Certification - Licensing Information: https://www.nccertifiedparalegal.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |