Delaware paralegals often find their niche in law firms and municipal and U.S. district court systems, but those with expertise in areas like business incorporation and corporate law are likely to fare extremely well in Delaware, since more than one million business entities have made the state their legal home – nearly two-thirds of which are Fortune 500 companies, according to the Delaware Division of Corporations.
In addition, the state’s chemical industry and biotech companies provide opportunities for paralegals with experience in intellectual property licensing, trademark and patent law. These types of exciting opportunities have kept salaries for Delaware’s paralegals strong and have allowed the state to rank among the top in the nation for its concentration of paralegal jobs.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in Delaware
As of May 2020, paralegals in Delaware earned an average salary of $51,870, or $24.94 per hour, which is just slightly below the national average of $56,610. The state’s top earners (top 10%) earned nearly $30,000 more annually, at $80,950, or $38.92, which means that those who have earned significant experience, particularly in a specialty area of law like litigation, personal injury, bankruptcy, or estate law, are rewarded handsomely for their efforts in Delaware.
Though Delaware reported just 1,620 paralegal jobs during this time, it ranked third in the nation, just behind Florida and Washington D.C., for its concentration of paralegal jobs. Another indicator of Delaware’s plentiful opportunities for paralegals lies in the number of practicing lawyers here. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of active lawyers in Delaware increased by more than 8%, according to the American Bar Association. The increasing number of lawyers in the state likely translates into more opportunities for paralegals here.
Average Paralegal Salary in Dover, Delaware
As of May 2020, the average salary for paralegals in Dover was $54,300, or $26.10 per hour. The top earners here (90th percentile) earned about $84,560, or $40.66 per hour, during this time. As the state’s center for government, commerce and industry and home to major corporate players like Kraft Foods and Proctor & Gamble, Dover enjoys plenty of professional opportunities and a salaries that rise above the state’s averages.
May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2021.