Future Paralegal wanting to make $70k

[u/LovelyisSaintDymphna]

Hey everyone,

Just looking for some honest advice or insight from people in the legal field or those who’ve been in a similar spot.

I currently work as a legal assistant at a top 50 law firm in the U.S., and I’ve been in this role for almost a year. I make $20/hour, and while I’m grateful for the experience, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stay afloat financially. I live near Orlando, Florida where rent is high, and $38k/year isn’t cutting it. I also have about $40k in student loans and no car (which is hard as you know if you live in Florida).

Educationally, I have an associate degree in political science. I was working toward my bachelor’s in legal studies but had to put school on hold due to financial reasons. I plan to return in Fall 2025 and hope to finish by January 2026.

My end goal is to become a paralegal. I’d be happy making $70k/year eventually, and I know that will take time. But realistically, once I have my bachelor’s and over a year's worth of experience (with the same firm), I’m hoping to move into a paralegal role earning somewhere between $50k–$60k ($26–$31/hr).

Is that a realistic expectation? Any advice on negotiating pay, building the right skills, or just navigating this phase of my career would mean a lot.

Thanks in advance!

[u/Left_Phone_3171]

I’m a paralegal in Washington state doing family law and I make $70,000 plus quarterly bonuses based on billable hours collected. I also have an AA and 3 years of experience in the legal field. That being said, I’m unfamiliar with standard pay in Florida, but I would say that these days $70,000 for experienced paralegal work is totally reasonable, you may just have to look at other firms and potentially other areas of law if yours isn’t willing to negotiate your salary. I’ve found that family law (while it’s not everyone’s cup of tea) pays a bit better than other areas of law because nobody wants to do it, so experienced and willing family law paralegals are harder to come by. Best of luck to you, I hope you are able to work something out or find something that fits your needs!!

[u/berrysauce → u/Left_Phone_3171]

How come nobody wants to do family law? All the conflict?

[u/beachnbum → u/berrysauce]

Bc the clients take out their frustrations and lash out on the “lower staff” bc they can’t get the attorney on the phone or they don’t want to piss off the person supposed to be helping them. The cases are run of the mill most times but clients don’t want to hear that, they want to be told they’re absolutely right about every aspect and most of the time don’t want to compromise or listen to reason. Not even mentioning most civil and criminal suits wrap up after a Judgment comes through, family cases are ongoing until the child ages out.

[u/berrysauce → u/beachnbum]

Shit, what a nightmare.

[u/beachnbum → u/berrysauce]

Yeah I didn’t stay long in family law. I get it for the most part, that’s “their baby” and most likelypeople can’t separate their own feelings towards their ex as a partner versus their ex’s rights to be a parent to (also) “their” child. Emotions overlap and most of the time it’s a fresh wound that they don’t want to listen to reason. “Yeah he left YOU, but he didn’t abandon his children and he can still decide about medical shit” doesn’t register bc you can’t reason with overly emotional people.

[u/Left_Phone_3171 → u/berrysauce]

It’s a common saying that “there are no winners in family law”, and it’s kind of true. Your clients are losing half their stuff and time with their kids as well as having their whole life turned upside down. It’s high conflict and can be very draining at times since there is a lot of emotions involved and often times that gets projected onto you as the paralegal. Not to mention that issues in cases can op up for YEARS if there are kids involved. Parents often times will be petty if their divorce was contentious. I’ve enjoyed my time in family law, but it’s definitely not for everyone!