The importance of the NALA National Utilization & Compensation Survey: A Comprehensive Overview of Responsibilities, Wages, and Billing within the Paralegal Profession cannot be overstated. Since its inception in 1986, this comprehensive report has provided valuable insights into the paralegal workforce and its evolving needs. This NALA report is a critical tool for identifying systemic gaps that may hinder the paralegal profession's progress. It meticulously examines various facets of the paralegal field, including educational backgrounds, work environments, duties and responsibilities, billing practices, and compensation levels. By analyzing several years of market research data, this report has become an indispensable resource for the paralegal profession.
Beyond its informative value, the Utilization & Compensation Report offers significant benefits for employment recruiting. The data collected can help attract top paralegal talent by pinpointing areas in need of improvement and offering a clear picture of the current state of the paralegal labor market and workforce dynamics.
In 2026, in a follow-up to the 2024 survey, the survey introduces additional questions around limited licensing, enhancing the depth and breadth of the analysis. These additional questions will allow for more nuanced insights into the diverse factors affecting paralegals from various backgrounds and provide a clearer view of the profession's evolution over time. It is important to note that these questions are optional, and respondents may choose “Prefer not to answer” if they wish.
As the demand for paralegal professionals continues to grow, the data collected from this survey will be invaluable for employers, legal programs, educational and policy institutions, and associations in addressing the current and future needs of the paralegal profession. Your participation is crucial to the success of this survey, and we encourage you to share your experiences as a paralegal. You do NOT need to be a NALA member to participate. Your voice matters and can make a significant impact.
The results of the survey will be available on NALA's website in early 2027.
Please note that billing and compensation information is specific to 2025. If you were unemployed for the entire 2025 year, please do not complete this survey.
Thank you for participating in this important research.