North Dakota Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Although there are no formal requirements for becoming a paralegal in North Dakota, most paralegals enter the field with a combination of education and experience. On this page, you will find up-to-date information on how to become a paralegal in North Dakota, certification options, salary and career outlook, and career resources to help you get started.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in North Dakota
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in North Dakota
The state of North Dakota has outlined the following guidelines to help law offices evaluate the qualifications of paralegals. Paralegals should meet one of the following:
- Be a graduate from an ABA-approved paralegal program
- Be a graduate from a non-ABA approved paralegal program that includes at least 60 semester credit hours, 18 of which are paralegal courses
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject plus have one year of training as a paralegal or 18 credits of paralegal courses
- Have passed a national certifying examination for paralegals that includes continuing legal education
- Have at least seven years of experience working as a paralegal under the supervision of a lawyer
Since North Dakota does not require paralegals to be certified, nor does it regulate the profession, candidates may take a variety of paths to a paralegal career. The majority of paralegals have a combination of education and experience. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in North Dakota:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
One way for paralegals to meet North Dakota’s recommended guidelines is to graduate from a paralegal program with at least 60 credit hours, including 18 credits of legal assistant/paralegal courses. Although North Dakota does not require a degree or certificate to become a paralegal, many paralegals choose to obtain a certificate in paralegal studies, associate degree in legal studies, or bachelor’s in paralegal studies at one of the North Dakota paralegal programs or a school in a surrounding state. None of North Dakota’s paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), but there are ABA-approved programs in nearby states.1
2. Gain experience.
On-the-job experience can be gained through internships and job shadowing opportunities, commonly offered as part of paralegal education programs. On-site 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. Paralegals with at least seven years of experience under the supervision of a lawyer will have met the state’s suggested guidelines for employers to hire qualified paralegals.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Although North Dakota does not require paralegal certification, voluntary certification is a highly desirable credential for potential employers. Passing a national certification exam is one way for paralegals to meet the state’s suggested guidelines. You can read more about certification below.
Paralegal Certification in North Dakota
Paralegals in North Dakota are categorized as legal paraprofessionals and are authorized to perform legal tasks under the supervision of a qualified attorney. Although certification is not required, many paralegals in North Dakota choose to pursue certification through 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
North Dakota Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
6.3%
Paralegals in North Dakota from 2023-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently estimated 690 paralegals and legal assistants employed throughout North Dakota, and they earned an average annual salary of $55,940.3 Projections Central predicts a 6.3% growth rate for paralegals and legal assistants in North Dakota, which is slightly above the national projected growth rate of 4.2% for the same period.2 An average of 70 annual job openings for paralegals is expected in the state during that 10-year period.2
North Dakota Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 690 | $55,940 |
| Bismarck | 210 | $54,980 |
| Fargo ND-MN | 230 | $59,500 |
| Grand Forks ND-MN | 70 | $51,900 |
Paralegal Employers in North Dakota
Law firms are the largest employers of paralegals and legal assistants nationwide, though corporations, banks, and government agencies are expected to increase paralegal hiring over the next decade. Internal legal departments within corporations based in North Dakota also provide paralegal job opportunities. Government agencies also require paralegal support and frequently post North Dakota paralegal jobs at the local, state, and federal levels.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (North Dakota or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in North Dakota with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Conmy Feste LTD
- Integreon
- Mackoff, Kellog, Kirby & Kloster PC
- Madlom Law Office
- Maring Williams Law Office
- Ohnstad Twichell
- State of North Dakota
- Vogel Law Firm
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in North Dakota with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in North Dakota
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.
- Red River Valley Paralegal Association (RRVPA): Serves paralegals in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota by providing networking, development, and educational opportunities.
- State Bar of Association of North Dakota (SBAND): Strives to promote the legal profession throughout North Dakota and has a career center for paralegal jobs in North Dakota.
- Western Dakota Association of Legal Assistants (WDALA): Provides networking and continuing legal education opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants throughout western North Dakota.
Additional Resources
- North Dakota Supreme Court: Provides links to all courts within the state and gives access to court dockets, forms, and rules, including e-filing systems and legal research resources.
- North Dakota Supreme Court Law Library: Hosts a robust legal reference and legislative research collection and offers interlibrary loan services through partner libraries.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: For paralegal jobs in North Dakota, visit our jobs board.
- University of North Dakota School of Law Thormodsgard Law Library: Hosts comprehensive print collections in state and federal law as well as various electronic legal research databases.
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