Legal Support Services at Johnston Community College

Smithfield, NC · Public · Certificate

a compact campus enrolling 2,998 students in Smithfield, NC.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,278 at Johnston Community College come in 12% above the national median of $36,991 for Legal Support Services programs.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 173.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Legal Support Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Legal Support Services's career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #9 of 127 programs, Johnston Community College's Legal Support Services program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Legal Support Services, including Legal Secretary (median $54,140/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
65
Score
68
High End
Earnings $41,278/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (39% shielded)
Job Market Large (77,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$41K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
178.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,657
Out-of-state: $8,801
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,797
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Legal Support Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Legal support workers, all other $68,760 -1.2% 100%
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners $67,310 -0.3% 4%
Paralegals and legal assistants $61,010 +0.2% 48%
Legal support workers, all other
$68,760
-1.2% growth 100% AI-proof
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
$67,310
-0.3% growth 4% AI-proof
Paralegals and legal assistants
$61,010
+0.2% growth 48% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Legal Support Services Careers

Your work will be at the heart of the legal process. As a paralegal, you’ll spend your days in a law office, drafting motions, organizing evidence for trial, and using research databases to find case-critical information. You might also work as a legal assistant, managing an attorney's busy calendar, electronically filing documents with the court, and serving as the primary point of contact for clients during stressful times.

Read the full Legal Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Legal Support Services Overview

Legal Support Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Johnston Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Legal Support Services at Johnston Community College?
A score of 65/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Legal Support Services field.
Will AI affect Legal Support Services careers?
AI won't 'replace' Legal Support Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Are there apprenticeship options for Legal Support Services?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Legal Support Services career paths, including Legal Secretary. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Legal Support Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Legal Support Services have roughly 77,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →