Austin Paralegal Jobs Overview
Attorneys—especially those at bigger firms—can’t do it all on their own. Essential members of their teams often include paralegals. However, these roles should not be confused with legal secretaries, who only handle day-to-day admin duties and customer-service tasks.
As defined by the American Bar Association (ABA), a paralegal is a professional “who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.” Hence, paralegal jobs encompass a variety of work that’s more directly involved with supervising attorneys or lawyers, such as preparing affidavits and legal correspondence, filing pleadings, responding to discovery requests, researching case-related information, and recapping depositions and trial transcripts.
And now’s a great time to pursue this career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is forecasting a 12% growth outlook over the next decade for paralegal jobs, which is faster than the average for all occupations, as law firms and other companies keep hiring more paralegals to increase productivity and cost-effectiveness.
You can expand your search for legal jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Austin, Texas
Also called the "City of the Violet Crown," Austin is Texas's state capital and the fourth largest city in the Lone Star State. Another name for Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, and for good reason: Austin hosts some of the most popular music festivals in the U.S., including Austin City Limits and SXSW. And with its restaurants, music venues, museums, outdoor attractions, and vibrant downtown area, Austin draws many visitors and new residents alike. In fact, Austin is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S., with hundreds of people searching for new jobs in Austin every year.
The thriving Austin jobs market boasts high employment and an average annual salary greater than the national average. And if you're looking for work outside the city limits, there are tons of job options in Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Georgetown.
Update Your Austin Paralegal Resume
Your paralegal resume should open with a compact, hard-hitting objective. When writing this, think of it as arguing your case—a compelling opening statement, so to speak. You can also opt for a career summary instead, if you’d prefer. After that, it’s important that you give specific examples of your accomplishments and quantify your achievements (e.g., how big were your previous caseloads and how fast were you able to finish respective tasks?). Take a look at our paralegal resume sample for more pointers.
Additionally, try sending a persuasive cover letter with your application, as it will help your candidacy if you do it right. Need some guidance? Then review our example of a well-written cover letter for paralegals.
How Much Do Paralegal Jobs Pay in Austin, Texas?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in paralegal jobs in Austin, Texas, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median paralegal pay in Austin is $45,906 per year, which is 2% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Austin Paralegal Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in paralegal? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those paralegal jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Austin, how to nail your job interview, and more.