Kansas does not require licensing or specific education for paralegals, though the Kansas Bar Association offers voluntary guidelines recommending an ABA-approved program, national certification, or education plus training pathways. According to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Kansas paralegals earn a median salary of $48,910 annually, with the top 10% making $80,240, and the state projects 280 average annual job openings through 2032.
Kansas paralegals have a host of professional opportunities across 
the state. Corporate paralegals find outstanding positions with major companies like T-Mobile and Seaboard Corporation, while paralegals specializing in litigation, immigration law, and bankruptcy law discover rewarding careers at prominent law firms such as Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP in Kansas City and Foulston Siefkin LLP in Wichita. State agencies, the courts, and Kansas healthcare systems, including the University of Kansas Health System, also provide exciting opportunities for both new and established paralegals.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about becoming a paralegal in Kansas, including education requirements, certification options, ABA-approved programs, salary expectations across different cities, job growth projections, and professional associations that support your career development.
Kansas Paralegal Requirements
Kansas doesn’t have state regulations governing the training or education of paralegals. However, the Kansas Bar Association has established voluntary guidelines recommending that legal assistants and paralegals be considered qualified if they meet one of the following:
- Completion of a paralegal studies program that’s either ABA-approved or accredited with similar standards to ABA-approved programs
- Passing one of the national certification exams offered by professional paralegal associations
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree in any field plus one year of in-house paralegal training
- Completion of an associate’s degree in any field plus three years of in-house paralegal training
In Kansas, paralegals may perform substantive legal work provided it’s delegated to them by a supervising lawyer who assumes responsibility for their professional actions and omissions. The paralegal must maintain confidentiality, and the lawyer must maintain direct contact with the client. This framework allows paralegals to take on significant responsibility while operating within appropriate ethical boundaries.
Paralegal Certification in Kansas
While Kansas allows paralegals to enter employment through on-the-job training and education, many find that completing formal educational programs sets them apart from other job candidates, which can be helpful in a competitive job market.
Educational Pathways
Aspiring paralegals have several options for education, including certificate programs and diploma-conferring programs offering associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees in paralegal studies.
Paralegals may earn a certificate of completion from a certificate program in paralegal studies. Certificate programs offer focused coursework on paralegal studies without requiring general education classes. Some certificate programs require that applicants have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in another subject, while other certificate programs don’t require a previous degree. For purposes of meeting the Kansas Bar Association’s guidelines or qualifying to sit for national certifying exams, it’s important to locate educational programs that are either approved by the American Bar Association or accredited and comprehensive in their coursework.
Earning a degree in paralegal studies can help distinguish entry-level paralegals from other job candidates and help paralegals meet the requirements for national certifying exams. Associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees in paralegal studies are most commonly earned by aspiring paralegals. These programs combine general education with specialized legal coursework to prepare graduates for the diverse responsibilities of paralegal work.
National Certification Exams
Paralegals may demonstrate their proficiency in the field by passing one of four national certification exams. Upon successful completion of an exam, the paralegal becomes a certified paralegal. The three professional organizations offer four national exams:
- The PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam) is offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- The PCCE (Paralegal CORE Competency Exam) is also offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- The CLA/CP (Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal) is offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- The PP (Professional Paralegal) is provided by the Association for Legal Professionals (NALS)
Each exam has different eligibility requirements, and meeting the Kansas Bar Association’s guidelines through certification demonstrates your commitment to professional excellence and ongoing competency in the field.
Paralegal Programs and Schools
The body of knowledge required to effectively perform legal support services can only come from formal education in paralegal studies. As attorneys, corporations, and government agencies work within an increasingly complex legal framework, the level of responsibility they expect paralegals to take on has also increased.
Law offices and other employers in Kansas have come to rely on paralegals with the kind of expertise that can only come from earning a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.
Landing a job as a paralegal might mean spending the morning delivering a report that determines what evidence to seek in the discovery process of a lawsuit. During lunch, you’ve got a meeting scheduled with your supervising attorney to brief them on what you’ve found combing through records at the county courthouse. Before you go home, you have to follow up with a potential new client about their case.
This is all in a day’s work for a paralegal in Topeka, Overland Park, or anywhere else in Kansas. You don’t get to this point in your professional career by luck. You work for it by acquiring competitive credentials that give you the skills and real-world experience to rank above your peers.
ABA-Approved and Accredited Programs in Kansas
| School Name | Location | Program Type | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson | AAS in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies, Certificate (post-associate) | Campus and Online |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park | AA Paralegal, Certificate (post-associate) | Campus |
| Kansas City, Kansas Community College | Kansas City | AAS Paralegal | Campus and Online |
| Rasmussen University-Kansas | Online | Certificate, Associate’s Degree | Online |
| Washburn Institute of Technology | Topeka | Legal Office Professional Certificate | Campus |
| Washburn University | Topeka | Legal Studies Certificate (post-associate), AA in Legal Studies, Bachelor of Legal Studies (BLS) | Campus and Hybrid |
These programs offer various formats to accommodate different schedules and learning preferences. Whether you’re looking for traditional campus-based instruction, the flexibility of online learning, or a hybrid approach combining both, Kansas has options to fit your needs.
Johnson County Community College’s program has maintained ABA approval for over 40 years, demonstrating a sustained commitment to paralegal education excellence. Hutchinson Community College and Kansas City, Kansas Community College also offer ABA-approved programs. Washburn University’s programs are accredited and meet Kansas Bar Association guidelines. Washburn Institute of Technology’s Legal Office Professional program provides foundational legal skills, with paralegal career pathways available through continued study at Washburn University.
Kansas Paralegal Salary
Thanks to a pro-business climate that includes minimal business regulations, Kansas has earned itself a solid status as the epicenter of the aerospace industry. Major aerospace operations include Boeing (which acquired Spirit AeroSystems in December 2025), Textron Aviation (Cessna and Beechcraft), Bombardier Learjet, and Airbus’s largest engineering center outside Europe. The Wichita area produces approximately one-third of all U.S. general aviation aircraft, with Boeing’s facility employing around 15,000 workers. In 2021 and 2022, Kansas earned the top spot in Site Selection’s Governor’s Cup for private capital investment, reflecting consecutive years of strong economic development.
Kansas’ economic growth has translated into a growing legal services industry, which in turn has created strong demand for qualified paralegals across the state.
Statewide Salary Overview
The mean annual salary for paralegals in Kansas is $54,310, or $26.11 per hour. However, the big news in this state lies with the top earners. With extensive experience, including specialization in areas like family law, criminal litigation, or estate law, paralegals here can earn salaries that far exceed the state average. As of 2024, the top 10% of earners in the state make $80,240 or more annually, nearly $26,000 more than the state average.
Kansas paralegal salaries are competitive with the national median of $61,010. While the state’s median salary of $48,910 is slightly below the national figure, Kansas benefits from a lower cost of living compared to coastal states, making the effective purchasing power of salaries more comparable.
| Percentile | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry-Level) | $17.84 | $37,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $20.55 | $42,740 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $23.52 | $48,910 |
| 75th Percentile | $30.33 | $63,090 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $38.58 | $80,240 |
| Mean (Average) | $26.11 | $54,310 |
Kansas City Salary Comparison
Salary levels vary across Kansas’ metropolitan areas, with Topeka’s paralegals exceeding their colleagues in other Kansas cities. Home to Fortune 500 companies like Westar Energy and Collective Brands, Topeka has become a hub for agricultural, construction, and manufacturing industries, creating strong demand for legal services.
| Metropolitan Area | Mean Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary | Top 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | $51,840 ($24.93 hourly) | $47,750 | $71,660 ($34.45 hourly) |
| Lawrence, KS | $49,400 ($23.75 hourly) | $47,510 | $73,020 ($35.11 hourly) |
| Wichita, KS | $49,050 ($23.58 hourly) | $45,800 | $70,520 ($33.90 hourly) |
| Manhattan, KS | $48,130 ($23.14 hourly) | $45,090 | $69,610 ($33.47 hourly) |
| Kansas City, MO-KS Metro | $64,040 ($30.79 hourly) | $61,170 | $91,990 ($44.23 hourly) |
| Rural Kansas | $47,210 ($22.70 hourly) | $47,860 | $60,750 ($29.21 hourly) |
The Kansas City metropolitan area, which spans the Missouri-Kansas state line, offers significantly higher salaries than Kansas-only markets, providing excellent opportunities for Kansas residents willing to work across the border. Meanwhile, rural Kansas areas offer competitive salaries with potentially lower costs of living.
Job Outlook and Growth
Kansas currently employs 2,330 paralegals, according to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The profession is projected to grow steadily through 2032, with employment expected to reach 2,760 paralegals. This represents an increase of 100 positions, or 3.8% growth over the decade.
More importantly for job seekers, Kansas averages 280 annual job openings for paralegals through 2032. These openings include both new positions created by industry growth and replacement needs from retirements and career changes. This stable outlook means consistent opportunities for both new graduates entering the field and experienced paralegals seeking to advance their careers or change specializations.
The demand for paralegals remains strong as law firms and legal departments seek cost-effective ways to deliver legal services. Paralegals who specialize in high-demand areas like corporate law, litigation, or healthcare law, or who earn national certification, typically have the strongest job prospects in Kansas’ competitive legal market.
Professional Associations
Kansas is home to two active professional paralegal associations that provide networking, continuing education, and career development opportunities: the Kansas Paralegal Association and the Kansas Association of Legal Assistants.
Kansas Paralegal Association (KPA)
An NFPA affiliate with members throughout the state, the Kansas Paralegal Association works to increase the visibility of paralegals within the legal field and solidify their role as partners in delivering legal services. The KPA promotes continuing education and professional development, networking and the exchange of ideas, and the forging of strong working relationships with paralegal and bar associations at the local, state, and national levels.
The KPA offers eight levels of membership:
- Voting – Open to employed or retained paralegals who meet one of the following: post-secondary degree in paralegal studies, bachelor’s or associate’s degree in any field plus one year of paralegal work experience, certificate from a paralegal program, and paralegal work experience that, when combined, totals at least three years, or three years of paralegal work experience
- Affiliate – Open to any paralegal who meets the qualifications for Voting Membership, except for being employed
- Student – Open to anyone enrolled in a paralegal program
- Educator – Open to any full-time paralegal educator
- Retired – Open to any retired paralegal
- Military – Open to paralegals on active duty
- Qualified Fellowship – Open to those with a promotion code, such as students who would get this code from their paralegal program
- Sustaining – Open to any entity or individual who supports the KPA
Kansas Association of Legal Assistants (KALA)
The Kansas Association of Legal Assistants supports legal assistants and paralegals in increasing their level of professional ability through national certification, specialized training, and continuing legal education. KALA is a NALA affiliate. KALA members meet monthly to network, gain insight into local, state, and national developments in the legal field, and further their education and professional development.
KALA offers five levels of membership:
- Voting – Open to those who meet any of the following: Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)/Certified Paralegal (CP) credential from NALA, graduate of an ABA-approved paralegal program currently working as a paralegal, graduate of a paralegal program that included at least 60 semester credits of classroom study who is currently employed as a paralegal, graduate of a paralegal program plus six months of in-house paralegal experience, bachelor’s degree in any field plus six months of in-house paralegal experience, three years of law-related experience plus six months of in-house paralegal experience, or two years of in-house paralegal experience
- Affiliate – Open to anyone who has been employed as a paralegal in the past but isn’t currently, paralegal program graduates who haven’t yet found a job as a paralegal, or employed paralegals who don’t meet the requirements for Voting membership
- Student – Open to students in good standing who are enrolled in a paralegal program
- Sustaining – Open to persons or firms that are interested in supporting the paralegal profession
- Honorary – Open to anyone who has supported the goals of KALA, whom KALA votes to declare an honorary member
Top Employers and Law Firms
The majority of Kansas paralegals work in law firms, especially in the Wichita, Topeka, and Overland Park metropolitan areas. However, opportunities also exist in corporate legal departments, government agencies, and healthcare systems.
Major Law Firms in Kansas
Law firms in Wichita, Topeka, and Overland Park include:
- Foulston Siefkin LLP
- Sloan Eisenbarth Glassman McEntire & Jarboe, L.L.C.
- Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith
- Wallace Saunders
- Gilliland & Hayes, PA
- Hampton & Royce L.C.
- Kutak Rock LLP
- Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy, Chartered
- Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP
Many paralegals also work across the river in Kansas City, Missouri, where large law firms offer additional opportunities:
- Shook, Hardy and Bacon
- Polsinelli Shughart
- Stinson Morrison Hecker
- Lathrop and Gage
- Husch Blackwell
Other Employers
Beyond private law firms, Kansas paralegals find rewarding careers in:
- State agencies and government offices
- Kansas court system
- Healthcare organizations like the University of Kansas Health System
- Corporate legal departments at companies like T-Mobile (with major operations in Overland Park) and Seaboard Corporation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to work as a paralegal in Kansas?
No, Kansas does not require state licensing or specific education for paralegals. However, the Kansas Bar Association has established voluntary guidelines recommending that paralegals meet certain qualifications, such as completing an ABA-approved program, passing a national certification exam, earning a bachelor’s degree plus one year of in-house training, or earning an associate’s degree plus three years of in-house training. While these guidelines aren’t legally mandatory, following them can improve your job prospects and professional credibility.
What paralegal programs in Kansas are ABA-approved or accredited?
Kansas has six schools offering paralegal programs: Hutchinson Community College (AAS and certificate, available online), Johnson County Community College (AA and certificate with over 40 years of ABA approval), Kansas City Kansas Community College (AAS, available online and campus), Rasmussen University-Kansas (certificate and associate’s, online), Washburn Institute of Technology (Legal Office Professional certificate), and Washburn University (certificate, AA, and Bachelor of Legal Studies with campus and hybrid options). These programs meet the Kansas Bar Association’s educational guidelines and prepare students for national certification exams.
How much do paralegals make in Kansas?
Kansas paralegals earn a median salary of $48,910 annually, according to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Entry-level paralegals (10th percentile) make around $37,110, while experienced paralegals in the top 10% earn $80,240 or more. The mean salary is $54,310. Salaries vary by location, with the Kansas City metro area offering the highest compensation at $64,040 mean salary, while Topeka leads Kansas-only cities at $51,840. Specialization in areas like corporate law or litigation can increase earning potential.
Can I become a paralegal without a degree in Kansas?
Yes, Kansas Bar Association guidelines allow you to become a paralegal through a combination of education and work experience, such as earning an associate’s degree plus three years of in-house training. However, most employers prefer candidates with formal paralegal education because paralegal programs provide comprehensive training in legal research, writing, ethics, and substantive law areas. Completing a certificate or degree program typically leads to better job opportunities and faster career advancement.
What’s the difference between PACE, PCCE, and CLA/CP certification?
These are three different national certification exams that demonstrate paralegal competency. PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam) and PCCE (Paralegal CORE Competency Exam) are both offered by NFPA, with PACE being the more advanced credential. CLA/CP (Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal) is offered by NALA and is widely recognized across the legal industry. Each exam has different eligibility requirements and focuses on different competency areas. All three are accepted under Kansas Bar Association guidelines and can enhance your job prospects.
How long does it take to become a paralegal in Kansas?
The timeline varies by educational pathway. Certificate programs can be completed in 6-12 months of full-time study, associate’s degrees typically take two years, and bachelor’s degrees require four years. Some post-baccalaureate certificate programs for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field can be completed in 9-18 months. If you pursue the associate’s degree plus training pathway recommended by the Kansas Bar Association, you’ll need two years of education plus three years of in-house paralegal training. Most students choose the associate’s degree path as a balance between time investment and comprehensive preparation.
What cities in Kansas pay paralegals the most?
The Kansas City metropolitan area (which includes both Kansas and Missouri sides) offers the highest paralegal salaries with a mean of $64,040 annually. Within Kansas-only cities, Topeka leads with a mean salary of $51,840, followed by Lawrence at $49,400, Wichita at $49,050, and Manhattan at $48,130. Rural Kansas areas average $47,210. The higher salaries in Kansas City reflect the larger legal market and presence of major law firms serving both states. Cost of living should also be considered when comparing these figures.
Are there online paralegal programs available in Kansas?
Yes, Kansas offers online paralegal education options. Hutchinson Community College provides both its AAS in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies and its certificate program online. Kansas City, Kansas Community College offers its AAS Paralegal program online. Rasmussen University-Kansas offers its certificate and associate’s degree programs entirely online. Washburn University provides hybrid options that blend online and campus instruction. Online programs are particularly beneficial for working adults, career changers, or those in rural areas who want to earn credentials without relocating or commuting.
Key Takeaways
- Kansas requires no state licensing but follows the Kansas Bar Association guidelines recommending ABA-approved programs, national certification, or specific education and training combinations to demonstrate professional competency
- Six schools offer paralegal programs across Kansas with multiple format options, including online, campus, and hybrid learning, to accommodate different schedules and learning preferences
- Kansas paralegals earn a median salary of $48,910 annually, with experienced professionals in the top 10% making $80,240 or more, and specialization in areas like corporate law or litigation increases earning potential
- The profession will add 100 new positions by 2032, with 280 average annual openings, including both new positions and replacement needs, providing consistent opportunities for job seekers
- Two professional associations (the Kansas Paralegal Association, affiliated with NFPA, and the Kansas Association of Legal Assistants, affiliated with NALA) provide networking, continuing education, and career development resources throughout Kansas
- Major employers include law firms in Wichita, Topeka, and the Kansas City metro, plus state agencies, courts, healthcare systems, and corporate legal departments at major companies like T-Mobile and Boeing
Ready to Start Your Kansas Paralegal Career?
Explore ABA-approved programs, compare salary potential across Kansas cities, and connect with professional associations to launch your legal career today.
Salary Disclaimer: 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Paralegals and Legal Assistants reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2025.
