Based on the recent information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we know that a paralegal career will be one of the fastest growing job areas in the next ten years. With this in mind we are continuing our focus on what information might be of interest if you are considering pursuing a paralegal career in one of the states featured on the Recruit Legal Jobs board.

The Important Numbers:
· Number of Pennsylvania Paralegals: 8,570*
· Median Paralegal Salary: $48,660*
· Length of Paralegal Study: 1 to 4 years
· Almost 75 percent of paralegals work for law firms*
· Largest Law Firms in Pennsylvania: K&L Gates (1,726 attorneys) and Reed Smith (1,558 attorneys)**

Paralegal Schools in Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania has 33 paralegal schools to choose from an estimated 700 students graduate from these schools each year. You can expect to pay approximately $12,580 per year in tuition fees for a paralegal degree.

Some of the recognized schools in Pennsylvania are:

Bucks County Community College, Newtown
Central Pennsylvania College, Summerdale
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Oil City
Community College of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
Delaware County Community College, Media
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh
Gannon University, Erie
Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg
Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville
Manor College, Jenkintown
Northampton Community College, Bethlehem
Peirce College, Philadelphia
Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport
Villanova University, Villanova

Pennsylvania Paralegals – Salary Information:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median paralegal salary in Pennsylvania was $48,660 in 2010. The top paralegal salaries usually go to paralegals with the highest degree levels, the most seniority and greatest job responsibilities. Philadelphia has the highest median paralegal salary at $52,840.

The Jobs Market for Paralegals in Pennsylvania:
According to the BLS, there were 8,570 paralegals in Pennsylvania in 2010 and employment for paralegals and legal assistants was projected to grow 28 percent between 2008 and 2018. As you might suspect, there are more paralegals in Philadelphia than anywhere else in the state, followed by Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.

Choose to focus on one of the legal specialties represented by the many paralegal jobs in Pennsylvania, including litigation, family law, or wills and estates, among others. The paralegal specialty you choose will often depend on your personal interests and previous experience.

Remember to check www.recruitlegal.com regularly for Paralegal and Legal Support Vacancies.

*www.bls.gov
**National Law Journal.