Alaska Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
This guide helps individuals interested in legal support careers find answers to common questions about becoming a paralegal in Alaska. This page offers current information on becoming a paralegal in Alaska, including certification options, salary data, job outlook, and resources to help you start your career.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Alaska
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Alaska
Since there are no formal requirements for Alaska paralegals, they may follow different career paths. For more information on becoming a paralegal, including national certification programs, visit the Paralegal411 guide Steps to Become a Paralegal. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Alaska:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Earning a paralegal certificate, an associate degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor’s in paralegal studies from one of the paralegal schools in Alaska can help prospective paralegals build their legal skills and make them more competitive applicants for entry-level paralegal jobs. Currently, two paralegal programs in Alaska are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).1
2. Gain experience.
Gaining experience is an essential step to becoming a paralegal. Experience that includes internships, job shadowing, and on-the-job training is often included in paralegal education programs. Some paralegals start as legal secretaries or document preparers and advance within the legal field. Taking advantage of real-world experience opportunities can make paralegal candidates more competitive in the job field.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Although Alaska does not require licensure or certification for paralegals, pursuing voluntary certification can help paralegals in their job search. Certification is available at the national level for paralegals in Alaska.
Paralegal Certification in Alaska
While certification is not required to practice as a paralegal in Alaska, obtaining voluntary certification shows a commitment to the field and may provide networking opportunities. National organizations offer certification programs to maintain a consistent level of competency within the paralegal profession nationwide. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association); the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA); and the American Alliance of Paralegals Inc. (AAPI) offer voluntary certification programs that are widely recognized by the industry as preparing candidates for professional excellence.
Paralegal employers value certification from these associations, so obtaining voluntary certification can enhance your career prospects. For more information regarding paralegal education and employment in Alaska please refer to the Alaska paralegal associations listed below.
Alaska Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
-3.5%
Paralegals in Alaska from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that 760 paralegals and legal assistants were employed in Alaska, with an average annual salary of $63,180.3 Alaska’s nonmetropolitan area was the second highest paying nonmetropolitan area for paralegals, with an average annual salary of $69,510.3 The job outlook for Alaska paralegals is projected to decrease jobs by 3.5%, compared to positive projected job growth of 4.2% nationwide.2 Despite the projected decline, an average of 50 job openings is expected annually. Projections may change if local economies strengthen or shift toward service-based industries reliant on legal services.2
Alaska Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 760 | $63,180 |
| Anchorage | 550 | $61,730 |
| Fairbanks | 70 | $65,670 |
Paralegal Employers in Alaska
Paralegals in Alaska can find opportunities to work for corporate legal departments, government agencies, and private law firms. Paralegals can also find opportunities at corporations, smaller businesses, and state and local government agencies. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Alaska or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Alaska with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Alaska Court System
- Municipality of Anchorage
- State of Alaska
- State of Alaska Department of Law
- United States Air Force
- University of Alaska Anchorage
- US Army
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Paralegal Associations in Alaska
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.
- Alaska Association of Legal Administrators (Alaska ALA): Open to those who manage legal affairs, the association provides monthly meetings, social networking, discussion, and job listings.
- Alaska Bar Association (ABA): Provides continuing legal education and professional support for Alaska attorneys and provides listings for paralegal jobs in the state.
- Fairbanks Association of Legal Assistants (FALA): Provides networking, pro bono opportunities, and educational seminars for paralegals in Fairbanks.
Additional Resources
- Alaska Court System: Serves as a unified web portal for all courts in Alaska, providing links to the state appellate and trial courts, including court forms and rules.
- Alaska Court System Law Library: Hosts a robust collection of state law resources in three locations throughout the state, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal jobs in Alaska, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- State of Alaska Department of Law: The executive branch of Alaska’s state government and provides pro bono opportunities as well as paralegal job openings throughout the state.
- University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Egan Library: Hosts several titles in state and federal law to be used for on-site research.
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