Home › South Puget Sound Community College › Legal Support Services

Legal Support Services at South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, WA · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 2,692 students in Olympia, WA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,530/yr fall 26% below the $36,991 national median for Legal Support Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 30.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Legal Support Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #108 ranking among 127 Legal Support Services programs places South Puget Sound Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Legal Support Services careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
34
Low End
39
Score
42
High End
Earnings $27,530/yr (-26% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (39% shielded)
Job Market Large (77,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$316K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,206
Out-of-state: $11,274

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

View all 127 schools offering Legal Support Services →

Legal Support Services at Other Schools

Tacoma Community College ($50,681) Inver Hills Community College ($49,694) Des Moines Area Community College ($49,137) North Hennepin Community College ($48,960) Loyola University Chicago ($48,819) North Hennepin Community College ($48,599) MTI College ($47,535) Palm Beach State College ($46,622)

Other Majors at South Puget Sound Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,107) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ($43,380) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($35,815) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($31,694) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($29,056)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Legal Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Legal Support Services at South Puget Sound Community College?
This program scores 39/100 — on the lower end for Legal Support Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Should I worry about AI if I study Legal Support Services?
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.
Is South Puget Sound Community College a good choice for Legal Support Services despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Legal Support Services graduates?
Legal Support Services connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Legal Support Services graduates?
With approximately 77,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Legal Support Services offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →