How a Legal Studies Degree Can Jumpstart Your Law Career

Many people consider a degree in legal studies as an entry into the world of law.

It is important to understand the history of the legal field when considering a legal studies education.

Paralegal Working after Getting Her Master's in Legal Studies Degree

In the United States, the legal system was developed mainly from the common law system that is found in England.

Louisiana is one state that followed the French Civilian legal system even after they were admitted into statehood.

There are also some legal concepts taken from Spanish law that are found within the legal system.

This includes community property and prior appropriation doctrines that are found in some states.

The doctrine of federalism provides each state with its separate court system.

Search Paralegal Programs

Get information on Paralegal programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings

This provides states with the ability to legislate through state laws that are in areas that are not covered by the federal legal system.

Becoming a Paralegal or Legal Assistant

The majority of legal assistants and paralegals will have an associate’s degree in legal studies.

Some people working in the field obtain a bachelor’s degree in legal studies or another field and a certificate in legal studies.

There are some employers who will hire a college graduate who does not have any legal experience or education and then offer on-the-job training.

However, the best way to ensure a career in the legal field is by obtaining at least an associate’s degree in the field.

Types of Programs Available

There are several legal studies schools available in every state.

A candidate may choose to enroll at a community college that offers an associate’s degree in legal studies.

Some schools offer bachelor’s degrees in legal studies as well as master’s degrees.

A person who currently has a degree in another area may choose to attend a certificate program.

All of these programs are available at brick-and-mortar schools in most states.

In addition, there are legal studies online programs available.

The online programs may be all or partly available online.

Many people choose an online program because it is more flexible than a program offered at a college or university.

What Qualities Do I Need to Pursue a Legal Studies Degree?

There are several qualities that a person should have if they are interested in working in the legal field.

These include:

  • Computer Skills: Computers are used for litigation support as well as research. There are also computer programs used on the job to help maintain and organize important documents.
  • Organizational Skills: Working as a paralegal or legal assistant will require that a person deal with several cases at a time. It is important to be extremely organized so that you can adapt to deadlines that may change quickly.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Working with professionals and clients is part of the job, and a person.
  • Social Skills: Must be able to create and develop good relationships. Part of the job is making a client feel comfortable enough to share their personal information.
  • Research Skills: Conducting research is an important part of the job, and those working in the field must be good at it.
  • Writing and Speaking Skills: Presenting research through writing and speaking is an important part of the job.

Legal Studies Salary

The average salary for those working in legal studies was $59,200 as of May 2022.

This is the wage that half of the people employed in the field earned more than, and half earned less.

Those on the low end of wages earned around $37,690 per year, and those in the top 10% earned nearly $94,960.

Generally speaking, those who work in a large law firm or a large city will earn more than those who work in a smaller law firm or a smaller city.

U.S. Average Salary: $66510

$39.7KK
$43.7KK
$66.5KK
$73.2KK
$80.5KK
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%

Salary Information by State

State Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Alabama5,480$49,800$23.94$73,300$30,300
Alaska690$66,560$32.00$95,410$45,840
Arizona6,780$66,150$31.81$97,070$43,480
Arkansas1,400$62,540$30.07$77,330$34,740
California45,740$76,920$36.98$105,350$48,000
Connecticut4,920$67,230$32.32$95,220$44,990
Delaware2,220$66,460$31.95$97,800$47,490
D.C.5,880$96,200$46.25$128,100$59,930
Florida37,410$61,150$29.40$82,450$37,440
Georgia14,480$62,400$30.00$92,500$36,770
Hawaii1,170$64,210$30.87$83,890$48,690
Idaho2,250$54,380$26.14$74,610$29,000
Illinois12,430$68,960$33.15$102,270$44,180
Indiana5,970$60,220$28.95$93,930$40,070
Iowa2,530$56,060$26.95$78,640$37,480
Kansas2,330$54,310$26.11$80,240$37,110
Kentucky3,080$54,460$26.18$77,800$37,650
Louisiana4,960$52,380$25.18$77,200$31,460
Maine1,260$58,450$28.10$78,000$38,130
Maryland5,770$69,520$33.43$99,520$45,820
Massachusetts7,520$78,540$37.76$107,650$49,850
Michigan7,240$65,430$31.46$88,000$44,110
Minnesota6,640$71,560$34.41$98,480$44,800
Mississippi2,080$46,310$22.27$67,620$34,320
Missouri6,410$60,260$28.97$84,610$37,400
Montana1,060$56,870$27.34$76,700$45,080
Nebraska1,570$62,850$30.22$88,540$40,200
Nevada3,490$59,740$28.72$78,760$27,040
New Hampshire1,580$63,910$30.72$87,260$35,870
New Jersey11,720$69,010$33.18$98,360$44,540
New Mexico1,660$58,620$28.18$77,570$44,050
New York28,510$74,580$35.86$105,910$47,880
North Carolina12,270$56,810$27.31$82,380$37,150
North Dakota610$59,800$28.75$77,160$41,870
Ohio8,160$61,000$29.33$83,530$37,930
Oklahoma2,500$54,950$26.42$78,950$36,420
Oregon4,910$70,210$33.76$99,780$47,840
Pennsylvania14,130$65,920$31.69$94,990$40,620
Rhode Island1,830$57,330$27.56$81,880$39,190
South Carolina7,260$51,550$24.78$67,950$35,570
South Dakota660$59,790$28.74$84,150$47,020
Tennessee5,890$57,360$27.58$76,510$37,810
Texas28,770$62,650$30.12$96,530$37,850
Utah2,890$60,240$28.96$87,900$41,060
Vermont730$62,360$29.98$79,440$47,490
Virginia8,570$66,570$32.01$97,520$44,100
Washington9,070$83,930$40.35$115,120$50,500
West Virginia1,680$56,540$27.18$87,050$31,640
Wisconsin4,930$60,450$29.06$81,910$43,810
Wyoming530$54,320$26.11$72,800$39,950
Guam80$49,280$23.69$74,960$30,540
Puerto Rico780$49,090$23.60$91,890$22,060
Virgin Islands70$53,160$25.56$72,550$39,950

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

District of Columbia tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $96,200.

These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:

District of Columbia - $96,200
Washington - $83,930
Massachusetts - $78,540
California - $76,920
New York - $74,580
Minnesota - $71,560
Oregon - $70,210
Maryland - $69,520
New Jersey - $69,010
Illinois - $68,960
* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, OCC Code 23-2011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Legal Studies Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of legal assistants and paralegals is expected to grow at an average rate of 4% from 2022 through 2032.

Many employers are trying to reduce costs and to increase the efficiency of legal services in the next few years and because of this many law firms are hiring more paralegals.

The reason for this is that legal assistants and paralegals can be cheaper than hiring lawyers and also can perform a number of duties, many of which were once completed by lawyers.

Most of the legal studies jobs will be in law firms.

However, many corporations are expanding their legal teams as well.

Find Master’s in Legal Studies Degree Programs by State

Notable Resources

Tina Wolf
Tina Wolf has been working as a writer for several years. She enjoys researching and writing about the government and history as well as other legal topics. With extensive legal knowledge she verifies accuracy to the highest standards.

3 Responses to How a Legal Studies Degree Can Jumpstart Your Law Career

  1. Kensley Bridges #

    As a recent graduate with a legal studies degree, I can attest to its value in launching a law career. The foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills gained have been indispensable in navigating the complexities of legal practice.

  2. Eric Rogers #

    I’ve found that a legal studies degree provides a well-rounded understanding of the legal system, which is essential for success in law school and beyond.

  3. Betty Scott #

    I’ve seen firsthand how a legal studies degree can open doors to various career paths within the legal field, from paralegal work to compliance roles.

Leave a Reply

Search Paralegal Programs

Get information on Paralegal programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings
Disclaimer: The content provided on this website is intended for informational purposes only.