Vermont Paralegal Career and Salary Guide

Although Vermont has no statewide requirements for paralegals, earning a degree or certificate in paralegal studies and obtaining certification can enhance job opportunities and increase your hiring potential. This guide is designed to answer your questions about how to become a paralegal in Vermont with salary information, job outlook, and career resources

Table of Contents

• How to Become a Paralegal in Vermont
• Paralegal Certification
• Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
• Paralegal Resources

How to Become a Paralegal in Vermont

Since certification is voluntary in Vermont, paralegals in the state may take a variety of career paths. Formal education, certification, and work experience will continue to benefit applicants for paralegal openings. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Vermont:

1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.

Although certification in Vermont is voluntary, obtaining a formal education earned through one of the Vermont paralegal programs can greatly improve your hiring potential. None of Vermont’s paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).¹ However, a few paralegal programs are available across the state and in neighboring states, including certificates in paralegal studies, associate degrees in legal studies, and bachelor’s in paralegal studies degrees.

2. Gain experience.

On-the-job experience can be gained through internships and job shadowing and is commonly offered in paralegal education programs. On-the-job training is also available at law firms and corporate legal departments throughout the state. Some paralegals even start at the entry-level as document preparers or legal secretaries. Starting in an entry-level position allows candidates to work up the career ladder as they gain experience.

3. Seek certification, if desired.

Although Vermont paralegal certification is not required to become a paralegal in the state, voluntary certification is highly valued by employers. You can read more about Vermont certification below.

Paralegal Certification in Vermont

Vermont defines paralegals and legal assistants as paraprofessionals qualified by education, training, or work experience who must be supervised by an attorney or organization while performing substantive legal work. Many Vermont paralegals join national organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), or the American Alliance of Paralegals Inc. (AAPI). These associations offer paralegal certification programs widely accepted as the industry standard of professional excellence. You can read more about national paralegal certification through our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal

Vermont Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported 620 paralegals and legal assistants employed in Vermont, earning an average annual salary of $61,990.³ Projections Central predicts a 7.5% employment growth for paralegals and legal assistants in Vermont, faster than the nationwide projected growth of 4.2% for the same period.² An average of 80 annual openings for paralegals are expected in the state.² The northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area is ranked second-highest for the concentration of paralegal jobs in nonmetropolitan areas across the country.³

Vermont Paralegal Salary by Metro Area

Paralegal Employers in Vermont

Though corporations, government agencies, and insurance groups are expanding paralegal employment, private law firms remain the primary source of paralegal jobs in Vermont and nationwide. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Vermont or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Vermont with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:

• Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC
• Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC
• State of Vermont
• University of Vermont
• Vermont Attorney General’s Office
• Vermont Law and Graduate School

For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.

Paralegal Resources

Here are some resources to help paralegals in Vermont with professional development, networking, and career growth.

Paralegal Associations in Vermont

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.

• Vermont Bar Association (VBA): Strives to promote professionalism, high ethical standards, and foster respect for the law by supporting legal professionals throughout the state.
• Vermont Paralegal Organization (VPO): Promotes paralegal professionalism by providing continuing educational and networking opportunities for paralegals throughout the state.

Additional Resources

• Paralegal411 Jobs Board: You can search for paralegal jobs in Vermont on our jobs board.
• Vermont Law Julien and Virginia Cornell Library: Houses over 400,000 volumes in addition to digital resources and specialized research databases.
• Vermont Judiciary: Provides links to all courts within Vermont and gives access to court information, forms, rules, and e-filing systems, as well as legal research tools.
• Vermont State Library: Hosts state and federal legal research materials online through the state library system.

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, 2022-2032: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm