How to Become a Paralegal in North Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

North Carolina employs about 13,650 paralegals earning a median $57,500 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 North Carolina

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
160.6Contact school for pricing$42,844Not reportedYes*34 mi
255.3Contact school for pricing$49,034Not reportedYes*61 mi
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352.9Contact school for pricing$48,62531%Yes*51 mi
452.6Contact school for pricing$48,441Not reportedYes*63 mi
Sponsored Ad
551.6Contact school for pricing$44,53344%Yes*37 mi
650.2Contact school for pricing$43,46523%Yes*68 mi
Sponsored Ad
749.8Contact school for pricing$57,86840%Yes*61 mi
845.5Contact school for pricing$48,13822%Yes*54 mi
Sponsored Ad
945.0Contact school for pricing$46,65737%Yes*41 mi
1040.4Contact school for pricing$47,738Not reported—79 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.

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.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paralegal in North Carolina

How to 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? paralegal training length in North Carolina varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

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.

How to Become a Paralegal in North Carolina

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most North Carolina training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved paralegal program in North Carolina that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Earn an industry certification. While North Carolina 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 License Requirements in North Carolina

The NC State Bar - Paralegal Certification oversees paralegal licensing in North Carolina 3.

License Types

LicenseRequirements
Certified ParalegalSee the state licensing board for current requirements.

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 ( OES data), paralegals and legal assistants wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia4,140$59,870$66,200$43,160$99,530
Raleigh-Cary2,540$61,880$63,060$38,690$85,560
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk1,670$59,790$60,600$47,460$77,720
Durham-Chapel Hill890$52,500$61,690$46,280$89,720
Greensboro-High Point860$58,650$58,740$38,180$77,250
Winston-Salem830$50,680$55,240$38,840$75,040
Asheville590$57,500$60,290$46,190$77,670
Wilmington580$56,060$56,840$40,090$75,600
Fayetteville420$60,370$57,500$37,970$74,400
Jacksonville210$51,630$55,360$36,460$78,850
Greenville200$47,530$49,340$35,960$63,790
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton200$48,530$51,240$32,070$73,490
Pinehurst-Southern Pines120$49,430$55,140$37,170$70,520
Rocky Mount120$49,140$52,580$34,270$68,630
Burlington110$51,620$55,260$37,440$71,240
Goldsboro80$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 .

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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In North Carolina

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. NC State Bar - Paralegal Certification - Licensing Information: https://www.nccertifiedparalegal.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)