How to Become a Paralegal in Pennsylvania (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Pennsylvania employs about 14,670 paralegals earning a median $63,370 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 Pennsylvania

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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
171.1$3,849 in-state / $10,042 out-of-state$54,05837%Yes*68 mi
262.1$4,320 in-state / $8,190 out-of-state$55,82739%Yes*65 mi
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360.9$4,032 in-state / $8,832 out-of-state$52,44339%Yes*66 mi
447.7$5,280 in-state / $13,270 out-of-state$50,12530%Yes*73 mi
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547.6$19,854$52,31851%Yes*5 mi
645.1$5,640 in-state / $10,830 out-of-state$50,45337%Yes*73 mi
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743.0$6,600 in-state / $16,260 out-of-state$49,52123%Yes*76 mi
841.7$4,432 in-state / $11,010 out-of-state$60,93019%Yes*75 mi
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937.5$6,975 in-state / $12,472 out-of-state$54,03121%Yes*6 mi
1035.2$3,314 in-state / $7,394 out-of-state$53,76817%Yes*74 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.

Pennsylvania employs approximately 14,670 paralegals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,370 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 Pennsylvania, 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 (Pennsylvania): $63,370 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paralegal in Pennsylvania

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

Do I need a license in Pennsylvania? 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 Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for paralegals in Pennsylvania is $63,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,710 and experienced professionals can earn $96,080 or more 1.

How to Become a Paralegal in Pennsylvania

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

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania for details on certification preparation courses.

Paralegal Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington11,150$70,430$72,410$48,970$97,950
Pittsburgh2,620$63,620$67,940$45,710$94,680
Harrisburg-Carlisle1,000$60,360$62,920$49,550$81,040
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton430$61,000$65,410$48,040$92,920
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre400$57,600$58,130$41,920$76,950
Lancaster330$61,780$64,660$47,420$88,230
York-Hanover240$59,400$60,520$39,800$78,010
Reading200$58,570$63,500$46,800$89,320
Erie170$56,040$59,660$39,410$78,970
Chambersburg100$49,490$49,410$38,270$62,790
Williamsport90$50,010$56,470$39,320$79,090
State College80$57,680$60,810$40,910$75,620
Altoona60$49,110$53,960$38,220$74,800
Johnstown50$58,390$60,950$38,160$82,120
Lebanon40$59,490$65,300$41,830$101,990

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 Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 14,670 paralegals 1. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do paralegals earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paralegals in Pennsylvania is $63,370, which is $2,360 above the national median of $61,010 according to BLS data 1.

In Pennsylvania

Top local programs

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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. 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.

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)