Connecticut Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Our paralegal career guide is your starting point for learning how to become a paralegal in Connecticut. In this overview, you will find information about voluntary paralegal certifications, Connecticut paralegal salary and job outlook, career resources, and more to help you plan your career in the paralegal field. There are no statewide requirements for paralegals in Connecticut. However, most paralegal jobs in the state will require the completion of a degree, such as an associate degree or a certificate, in paralegal studies. Begin your career exploration with the easy-to-navigate directory below.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Connecticut
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Connecticut
As formal Connecticut paralegal certification is not required, there are a few paths to becoming a paralegal in the state. The most common route is a combination of education and real-world experience, and many future paralegals also choose to become certified to be more competitive for jobs.
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Many Connecticut paralegals begin their career by attending a Connecticut paralegal school. These schools offer certificate, associate’s degree, and bachelor’s degree options for prospective paralegals. As of November 2021, the American Bar Association (ABA) has approved five Connecticut paralegal programs throughout the state. Earning a formal degree or certificate from one of these schools can help paralegals build their resumes and become more competitive candidates for employment.
2. Gain experience.
A common way to gain real-world experience is through a paralegal education program, which may include internship opportunities, job shadowing, or other on-the-job training. This kind of real-world experience can give paralegal candidates a competitive edge in their job search.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
While state-level licensure or certification is not required in Connecticut, obtaining it can make paralegals more attractive to potential employers. There are several voluntary certification opportunities for paralegals in Connecticut. Read more about paralegal certification in the state below.
Paralegal Certification in Connecticut
State law does not require Connecticut paralegal certification in order to work as a paralegal. Paralegals and legal assistants are classified as paraprofessionals who must work under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney. Though state-level certification is not required in most states, including Connecticut, paralegals who have completed a paralegal program are encouraged to seek voluntary national certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI), or the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). The certification programs offered by these organizations have been recognized as providing a national standard of excellence within the paralegal and legal assistant field. For more information regarding paralegal training and career prospects, refer to the Connecticut paralegal associations listed below. Read our Steps to Become a Paralegal page for more information on certification options.
Connecticut Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Though corporate legal departments and governmental bodies depend on paralegal support, law firms remain the primary employers of legal assistants and paralegals nationwide. Cummings & Lockwood LLC is one of the largest Connecticut-based law firms with offices in Stamford, Greenwich, and West Hartford. This firm is committed to maintaining a cooperative and informal work environment for both attorneys and legal support staff. The resources of this large firm include top-notch technology and an extensive library system. Hartford’s Robinson & Cole LLP serves clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies and also employs many paralegals in practice areas such as estate planning, probate, immigration, intellectual property, public finance, and litigation.
Corporate legal departments offer a slightly different career path for aspiring paralegals. Connecticut hosts the headquarters of United Technologies Corp., Aetna, Cigna, and Xerox Corp, all of which employ paralegals within their legal departments. Additional Connecticut paralegal jobs may be available at a variety of local, state, and federal government agencies. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Connecticut or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities and also companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Connecticut with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Aetna, a CVS Health Company
- Cantor Colburn LLP
- Connecticut Judicial Branch
- The Hartford
- Hunt Leibert Jacobson, P.C.
- State of Connecticut
- Travelers
- University of Connecticut
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Connecticut Paralegal Salary Information
Projected Job Growth
12%
Paralegals in Connecticut from 2018-20282
In May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 5,520 paralegals and legal assistants employed in Connecticut.3 Projections Central has projected 12% growth in paralegal and legal assistant employment in Connecticut from 2018 to 2028, the same as the national projection over the same time period.2 Observable trends within the legal community support these projections. As employers seek to optimize cost efficiency, an expanded role has been allocated to paralegals and legal assistants. Similarly, large corporations have been exhibiting a stronger preference for cost-efficient in-house counsel rather than outside representation, and the expansion of these internal legal departments is expected to produce more positions for paralegals.
Connecticut has the fifth-highest concentration of jobs for paralegals, behind New York.3 The majority of these new Connecticut paralegal jobs are likely to be posted in urban areas such as the Hartford metropolitan area.3
The average paralegal salary in Connecticut is reported at $61,070, comfortably above the national average paralegal salary of $56,610.3 The average paralegal salary in Connecticut is also likely to trend higher in urban areas. For example, the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk metro area reports an average paralegal salary of $67,020.4 Overall the job and salary outlook for prospective paralegals in Connecticut is positive, with many already employed, a relatively high average annual wage, and strong established demand for paralegal labor from law firms and corporate legal departments. Estimates are based on national data, not school-specific information; data accessed in November 2021.
Connecticut Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk | 1,190 | $67,020 |
| Danbury | 160 | $58,030 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 2,240 | $59,990 |
| New Haven | 660 | $60,050 |
Paralegal Resources
Paralegal Associations in Connecticut
These are volunteer organizations, typically with elected boards, that focus on professional development and networking for a specific geographical location and/or area of law.
- Connecticut Bar Association: Provides robust programming for legal professionals throughout the state, including networking opportunities, professional development events, and the Connecticut Legal Conference (CLC).
- Central Connecticut Paralegal Association (CCPA): Strives to advance the paralegal profession in central Connecticut through regular meetings, continuing education seminars, a members-only jobs bank, and a mentoring program.
- Connecticut Association of Paralegals (CAP): Promotes the paralegal profession throughout the state and the continuing development of its membership through speakers’ meetings, access to professional resources, and educational seminars.
- New Haven County Association of Paralegals (NHCAP): Serves legal support professionals throughout the New Haven metropolitan area and provides numerous benefits to its members including regular meetings, continuing education seminars, and networking opportunities.
Additional Resources
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal jobs in Connecticut, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- Connecticut State Library: Holds volumes of law and law-related collections including statutes, regulations, and case law at the federal and state level.
- State of Connecticut Judicial Branch: A one-stop website for all courts in the state offering access to the state law library and an employment portal with paralegal jobs in Connecticut.
- University of Connecticut School of Law Thomas J. Meskill Law Library: Located at main campus in Hartford, this law library has expansive print and electronic holdings with particularly deep collections in Connecticut law and hosts one of the most comprehensive collections of insurance law in the US.
References:
1. American Bar Association Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/paralegal-resource-directory/
2. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2020 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2020 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm