Should paralegals be paid hourly or by salary?
On One Hand: Salaried Paralegals.Most paralegals work in firms or corporations and are salaried employees. They work a set schedule and receive the same pay week after week. Salaried paralegals tend to receive company perks and benefits such as insurance and paid sick leave.On the Other: Hourly Wages.Hourly pay can benefit a busy paralegal who works a great deal of overtime. However, if your practice isn’t busy enough to warrant that kind of time, or if you miss work due to illness, you will not be paid.Bottom LineSalaried paralegals earn a set wage they can count on, as well as other company perks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a paralegal as of 2008 was $46,120 annually. This pay automatically factors in occasionally long weeks of 40-plus hours, while giving the paralegal income security during slower periods.Source:U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Paralegals and Legal AssistantsWorkplace Moxie: Salary vs.
