Utah Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Welcome to our guide to exploring a career as a paralegal in Utah. There are no statewide regulations for paralegals in Utah. However, most entry-level paralegal jobs in the state will require the completion of a degree, like an associate degree or a certificate, in paralegal studies. On this page, you will find information on voluntary certification options, Utah paralegal salary information, job outlook, career resources, and information about how to become a paralegal in Utah. Start your career journey with the easy-to-navigate directory below.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Utah
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Utah
Since there are no requirements for Utah paralegal certification at the state level, prospective paralegals can enter the field through a variety of paths. Most paralegals have a combination of education and experience. Other paralegals may begin their careers as legal document preparers or legal secretaries and advance to paralegal positions. Many Utah paralegals also choose to become certified paralegals to be more competitive for jobs.
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Many paralegals in Utah start by attending one of Utah’s paralegal schools. Earning a certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from one of these schools can help paralegals build their resumes and become more competitive candidates for employment. As of November 2021, the American Bar Association (ABA) has approved one Utah paralegal program.1
2. Gain experience.
Many degree and certificate programs offer on-the-job experience, which may include internships, job shadowing, or other experience in real-world legal environments. While on-the-job experience is not required by the state of Utah, it is typically looked favorably upon by employers as it may reduce training time for new paralegals.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
There are several voluntary certification opportunities for paralegals in Utah. While state-level licensure or certification is not required, obtaining voluntary certification can give paralegals an advantage in their job search. Read more about paralegal certification in Utah below.
Paralegal Certification in Utah
Utah state law does not currently require any minimum education or training standards for paralegals within the state. Utah has adopted the ABA’s definition of a paralegal, which is “a person qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a legal entity who performs specifically delegated legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”1 As such, paralegals or legal assistants working in Utah must work under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
After completing a paralegal degree program, paralegals are encouraged to seek certification through a national organization such as 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). These organizations also offer continuing education programs for certified paralegals wishing to pursue career advancement. You can find more information about paralegal certification and education through the Utah paralegal associations listed below. You can also learn more about national certification on our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal.
Utah Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Many paralegals choose to work in law firms, which generally require the greatest degree of paralegal support. Utah hosts several large law firms including Ballard Spahr LLP and Clyde, Snow & Sessions. Ballard Spahr is a national full-service law firm with a sizable office in Salt Lake City. The firm’s diverse practice areas use paralegal support staff on subject-based teams, allowing paralegals the opportunity to specialize. Clyde, Snow & Sessions is a premier law firm headquartered in Salt Lake City that practices in virtually all areas of law, with particular focus areas in water law, domestic relations, litigation, white-collar criminal defense, and corporate law.
Corporations, government agencies, insurance groups, and banks are also sources of paralegal jobs in Utah. Utah hosts several large companies including Huntsman Corporation and Browning Arms Company. Paralegals and legal assistants are encouraged to inquire about positions outside of traditional legal environments and seek opportunities in internal legal departments at companies such as these, which may provide a slightly different professional experience outside the law firm setting.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Utah or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities and also companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Utah with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Brigham Young University
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Kirton McConkie
- Lexington Law Firm
- Progrexion
- Snow Christensen & Martineau
- State of Utah
- Utah Attorney General’s Office
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Utah Paralegal Salary Information
Projected Job Growth
20.9%
Paralegals in Utah from 2018-20282
In May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 2,960 paralegals and legal assistants working in the state of Utah.3 Shifts from attorney labor to less expensive paralegal labor are expected to improve employment prospects for paralegals and legal assistants as law offices and corporations seek to reduce expenses. Based on these trends, Projections Central has predicted a 20.9% increase in jobs for paralegals and legal assistants in Utah from 2018 to 2028, which is significantly higher than the nationwide projection of 12% for paralegals over the same time period.2 Utah projected growth equates to approximately 650 new jobs added to the workforce over that 10-year period.2
The average annual paralegal salary in Utah was reported at $57,030 in May 2020, which is slightly higher than the national average paralegal salary of $56,610.3 As the role of paralegals expands and new paralegal jobs in Utah are added, salaries should also increase, with the strongest increases likely to occur in urban areas. Beyond paralegal education and national certification, practical work experience within the paralegal field will strongly benefit candidates wishing to work in Utah’s legal environment.
Estimates are based on national data, not school-specific information; data accessed in November 2021.
Utah Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Ogden-Clearfield | N.Av. | $53,030 |
| Provo-Orem | 350 | $54,000 |
| Salt Lake City | 2,190 | $58,270 |
Paralegal Resources
Paralegal Associations in Utah
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.
- Paralegal Division of the Utah State Bar: The Division strives to maintain high standards in the legal profession, provide continuing education opportunities, and encourage paralegals to network with each other throughout the state.
- Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association (RMPA): Serving paralegals throughout Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, RMPA has an active calendar of events including regular gatherings, networking opportunities, and continuing education seminars.
- Utah Paralegal Association (UPA): Seeks to promote the paralegal profession and advance employment opportunities for paralegals throughout the state.
Additional Resources
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search forparalegal jobs in your area, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- Utah.gov: Official state website offers up-to-date information on changes in Utah law and maintains a database of employment opportunities that includes Utah paralegal jobs in government agencies across the state.
- Utah Courts: As the home portal for all courts in the state judiciary, this site provides a wealth of resources including links to individual court sections, court dockets, current court forms, rules, e-records, and e-filing systems, as well as the state law library with a collection of federal and state law resources.
- University of Utah James E. Faust Law Library: Hosts broad collections of state and national law, as well as numerous volumes on international law and various law reviews.
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