Legal Support Services

127 schools compared · Average earnings $36,992/yr

What Legal Support Services Graduates Do

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.

Most graduates start in junior roles, handling document management and supporting senior staff. With experience, you can become a senior paralegal, managing complex cases independently or specializing in a high-demand area like litigation or real estate, which brings greater responsibility and earning potential. While overall demand is mixed, the need for skilled paralegals who can handle complex tasks remains steady.

Software and AI are changing this field by automating routine work like basic document review and scheduling. This shifts your focus to tasks requiring a human touch: building client relationships, helping attorneys develop case strategy, and navigating the nuances of the court system. Successful professionals adapt by mastering these new tools, allowing them to work more efficiently and become indispensable members of the legal team.

Schools Offering
127
Avg Grad Earnings
$36,992/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
36/100
AI-Proof Rating
Exposed
41% of tasks AI-shielded
Apprenticeship Paths
2

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Legal Support Services. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship Training Hours Type Salary RangeSalary Growth
Legal Secretary
RAPIDS 800
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs
Time $43K$54,140$72K -5.8%
Paralegal (Alternate Title: Paralegal Specialist)
RAPIDS 1003
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $48K$61,010$78K 0.2%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Legal Support Services

Top 20 of 127 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

# School Score EarningsEarn ROI
1 Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KS
67
61–70
$44,921/yr 213.4x
2 Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
67
60–70
$44,012/yr 200.2x
3 Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA
66
60–69
$50,681/yr 102.0x
4 Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL
66
60–70
$43,871/yr 174.1x
5 North Hennepin Community College
Brooklyn Park, MN
65
59–68
$48,599/yr 108.9x
6 William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, IL
65
59–68
$43,980/yr 114.1x
7 Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI
65
59–68
$42,262/yr 138.9x
8 Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC
65
59–68
$41,278/yr 148.8x
9 Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
65
58–68
$38,910/yr 263.9x
10 Austin Community College District
Austin, TX
64
58–67
$46,216/yr 104.8x
11 Edmonds College
Lynnwood, WA
64
58–68
$45,880/yr 97.3x
12 Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
64
58–67
$45,838/yr 105.2x
13 College of Lake County
Grayslake, IL
64
58–67
$45,094/yr 99.3x
14 Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX
62
56–66
$38,404/yr 140.6x
15 Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FL
61
56–65
$46,622/yr 76.7x
16 College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL
61
56–65
$40,429/yr 92.6x
17 Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
61
55–64
$36,678/yr 117.7x
18 Seminole State College of Florida
Sanford, FL
60
55–64
$44,783/yr 77.1x
19 Miami Dade College
Miami, FL
59
53–62
$40,782/yr 70.8x
20 Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL
59
54–63
$39,517/yr 77.8x

Highest Earning Legal Support Services Programs

Schools where Legal Support Services graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

Best ROI for Legal Support Services

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Legal Support Services.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Phoenix College 263.9x $38,910/yr 65
Johnson County Community College 213.4x $44,921/yr 67
Central Piedmont Community College 200.2x $44,012/yr 67
Hillsborough Community College 174.1x $43,871/yr 66
Mt San Antonio College 163.1x $29,569/yr 57
Johnston Community College 148.8x $41,278/yr 65
Tarrant County College District 140.6x $38,404/yr 62
Oakland Community College 138.9x $42,262/yr 65
Lone Star College System 117.7x $36,678/yr 61
William Rainey Harper College 114.1x $43,980/yr 65

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Legal Support Services degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the typical salary after a Legal Support Services program?
The median first-year salary across 127 Legal Support Services programs is $36,992. School selection matters — the gap between the lowest ($24,616) and highest ($50,681) earning programs is significant.
Will AI replace Legal Support Services jobs?
Legal Support Services is rated "Exposed" for AI resilience — 41% of job tasks involve hands-on work shielded from AI automation. That means a moderate share of career tasks in this field rely on skills AI cannot replicate.
Which school has the best Legal Support Services program?
Our data ranks Johnson County Community College first among 127 Legal Support Services programs. Its score of 67/100 reflects strong outcomes across earnings ($44,921/yr), return on investment, and career durability.
Do Legal Support Services graduates get a good return on their tuition?
Typical graduates earn 46.5 times what they paid in tuition within a decade. This is a strong return on investment. Look at per-school ROI in the table above — averages can mask significant variation.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →