West Virginia Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
While there are no statewide standards for paralegals in West Virginia, many jobs in the field require an associate degree or a certificate in paralegal studies. On this page, you will find in-depth information on how to become a West Virginia paralegal, paralegal certification options, career and salary outlook, and career resources to help you plan your career in the legal field.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in West Virginia
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in West Virginia
Although there are no statewide requirements for West Virginia paralegal certification, most paralegals have some combination of education and experience in the legal field before beginning employment. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in West Virginia:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Though there are no mandated minimum educational requirements, paralegal candidates and legal assistants are strongly encouraged to seek formal education in the field. Paralegals and legal assistants typically complete one of the many paralegal programs in West Virginia to earn a certificate in legal studies, paralegal associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. None of the West Virginia paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) in West Virginia.1
2. Gain experience.
Many paralegal programs in West Virginia include on-the-job training, which may be in the form of internships or job shadowing. Gaining real-world experience in the paralegal field can give candidates a competitive advantage for entry-level paralegal jobs. Law firms, government agencies, and corporate in-house legal offices may also offer experiences for paralegal candidates. Some paralegals begin their careers as legal secretaries and advance as they gain experience.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Obtaining professional paralegal certification can significantly enhance your competitiveness in the job market and lead to higher salaries. While certification is voluntary in West Virginia, it is highly desirable for employers seeking skilled and dedicated paralegal candidates.
Paralegal Certification in West Virginia
West Virginia defines a paralegal according to the ABA’s definition of paralegal–a qualified person who performs specifically delegated legal work under the direction of a licensed attorney. Though there is no statewide requirement for West Virginia paralegal certification, there are national certification programs that can benefit paralegal candidates. 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 accepted by the industry as preparing candidates for professional excellence. The certification exams from these organizations have educational requirements that can be met through a combination of general education, paralegal studies, and work experience in the field.
For more information on national certification, read our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal. You can also consult the West Virginia paralegal associations listed below for further information regarding education, certification, and experience opportunities for early career paralegals.
West Virginia Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
9.1%
Paralegals in West Virginia from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently estimated 1,780 paralegals and legal assistants working in West Virginia, earning an average annual salary of $56,870.3 The Parkersburg-Vienna metropolitan area had the highest concentration of paralegal jobs among all metro areas in the country.3 Projections Central estimates a 4.2% growth for paralegal and legal assistant jobs nationwide.2 In West Virginia, job growth is expected to be faster at 9.1% over the same period, amounting to 250 average annual job openings.2
West Virginia Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 1,780 | $56,870 |
| Charleston | 410 | |
| Huntington-Ashland WV-KY-OH | 260 | $52,320 |
| Morgantown | 140 | $63,840 |
| Wheeling WV-OH | 150 | $52,160 |
Paralegal Employers in West Virginia
Though paralegals can be found working in corporations, insurance groups, and government agencies, law firms are the primary employers of paralegals nationwide. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (West Virginia or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in West Virginia with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Bowles Rice LLP
- Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC
- Jackson Kelly PLLC
- Pullin Fowler Flanagan Brown & Poe PLLC
- Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC
- Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
- West Virginia University
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in West Virginia with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in West Virginia
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.
- Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia (DTCWV): Focuses on the needs of legal professionals associated with the Civil Defense Bar and offers members access to professional resources relating to defense practices as well as regular networking and education opportunities.
- Legal Assistants/Paralegals of Southern West Virginia (LAPSWV): Supports legal assistants and paralegals in southern West Virginia by providing networking opportunities, certification guidance, and a members-only job board.
- National Capital Area Paralegal Association (NCAPA): Serves paralegals and legal assistants across the Washington DC metro area, including parts of West Virginia, by providing mentoring programs, scholarships, and a job bank.
- West Virginia Association for Justice (WVAJ): Provides legal education programs for legal assistants in plaintiffs’ practices through mentorship programs and a members-only paralegal listserv.
- West Virginia State Bar: Offers paralegals and legal assistants access to current legal news, links to state agencies, and a career center with paralegal jobs throughout the state.
Additional Resources
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal jobs in West Virginia, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- West Virginia Judiciary: Provides a one-stop portal for all courts in the state’s jurisdiction, from the Supreme Court of Appeals to family courts, and including access to court news, publications, and forms as well as e-filing systems and helpful legal research links.
- West Virginia State Law Library: Houses over 150,000 volumes and volume equivalents, primarily focused on state law, though the library is also a partial Federal Depository Library.
- West Virginia University George R. Farmer Jr. Law Library: The largest law library in West Virginia with over 300,000 print volumes in addition to comprehensive electronic legal resources.
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