Florida Paralegal Salary Survey

Florida Paralegal Salary Survey Florida Alliance of Paralegal Associations, Inc. P.O. Box 31-75 Miami, Florida 3331-75 www.fapainc.org The Voice of The Florida Paralegal

November 1, 1 Dear Florida Paralegal: The Florida Alliance of Paralegal Associations conducted the first Florida Paralegal Salary Survey to provide needed salary and employment-related information to paralegals in the state of Florida. We believe the results may be used in many applications as the questions pertain to not just strictly salary information, but also benefits, education levels, training, billable rates, and other relevant data. We had a total of 636 respondents who participated in the survey, 1 of which provided partial responses. Thank you to all that participated in this year s Florida Paralegal Salary Survey. We invite you to participate again next year. Sincerely, The Florida Alliance of Paralegal Associations www.fapainc.org The Voice of The Florida Paralegal i

TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS... I PROFESSION RELATED DATA... 1 COUNTY EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION... PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/DESIGNATIONS/EDUCATION... 3 EDUCATION LEVELS REQUIRED BY EMPLOYERS... TOP AREAS OF PRACTICE FOR PARALEGALS... 5 TOP SOFTWARE... 6 OVERTIME AND AVERAGE HOURLY WORK WEEK... 7 TRAINING... 8 TOP 5 TASKS... 9 BILLABLE RATES AND RELATED INFORMATION... 1 SALARY AND BONUSES... 11 BENEFITS... 1 SALARY INFORMATION BY CIRCUIT... 13 3RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 13 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 13 1ST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 1 ND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 15 TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 16 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 17 6TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 18 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 19 8TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 9TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 1 1TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 3 1TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 13TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 5 1TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 6 15TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 7 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 8 18TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 9 19TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 3 TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT... 31 i

Profession Related Data Professional Title Years with Current Employer 7% 3% 9% Paralegal Legal Assistant Other 31% 5% 3% Over 1 Years 6-1 Years 1-5 Years Under 1 Year 3% Employment Status Total Years Employed As Paralegal 9% 6% Full-time Part-time 15% % 6% 35% Over Years 6-1 Years 11-15 Years 16- Years 1-5 Years % Gender Type of Employer Organization 96% % Female Male 1% 1% 7% 8% Private Law Firm Corporation Government Other Paralegals In Your Organization Attorneys In Your Organization % 13% 7% % 56% 1-5 Over 6-1 11-15 16-6% % 15% % 51% 1-1 Over 11-1-3 31-1

County Employment Information Alachua Baker Bay Brevard Broward Charlotte Citrus Collier Columbia Duval Escambia Flagler Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Indian River Jackson Lafayette Lake Lee Leon Manatee Marion Martin Miami-Dade Monroe Okaloosa Okeechobee Orange Palm Beach Pasco Pinellas Polk Putnam Sarasota Seminole St. Johns Volusia Walton 1 3 5 6 7 8 9 1

Professional Affiliations/Designations/Education I do not belong to any organizations Central Florida Paralegal Association FALSS (any chapter) Florida Alliance of Paralegal Assocationss Florida Registered Paralegall Gulf Coast Paralegal Association National Association of Legal Assistantss National Federation of Paralegal Associationss Northeast Florida Paralegal Association Northwest Florida Paralegal Association Orange County Bar Association Paralegal Section Paralegal Association of Florida (any chapter) South Florida Paralegal Association Southwest Florida Paralegal Association Tampa Bay Paralegal Association 5 1 15 5 3 Level of Education Professional Designationss 5 15 1 5 Bachelor's Degree Some College Associate's Paralegal Degree Certificate High School Diploma Graduate Degree 7% 19% % % FRP CP or CLA ACP FCP (CFLA) 3% Formal Degree Major Formal Degree ABA-Approved Liberal Arts Criminal Justice 1% No Business Administration Other Paralegal Studies Did not earn a formal degree 5% 3% Yes Do not have a formal degree 5 1 15 5 3 3

Education Levels Required by Employers Education Factor in Compensation Certification Required by Employer Education Level Required by Employer? 5% 8% 37% 55% 9% 63% No Yes No Yes No Yes If Education Required, What Level? Bachelor s Degree in Paralegal Studies 8 Associate s Degree (any field of study) 15 Paralegal Certificate (ABA-approval not required) 1 Associate s Degree in Paralegal Studies 3 High School Diploma 33 Bachelor s Degree (any field of study) 6 Paralegal Certificate (ABA-approved) 55 1 3 5 6

Top Areas of Practice for Paralegals Environmental Office Management Litigation Multi-State Banking/Finance Workers Compensation Criminal Bankruptcy Administrative Law Collections Product Liability Medical Malpractice Employment/ /Labor Law Family Law Insurance Defense Trust/Estate Planning Probate Personal Injury Corporate Contract Real Estate Litigation-Civil 5 1 15 5 3 5

Top Software Concordance Trial Director CourtLink Sanction ProLaw GroupWise Client Profiles CaseMap Calendar Manager Time Matters QuickBooks Summation WordPerfect Microsoft PowerPoint LexisNexis Westlaw Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word 1 3 5 6 6

Overtime and Average Hourly Work Week Exempt From Overtime Averagee Monthly Overtime 38% 6% No Yes 8% 1% 17% 31% 3% 1-5 hours 6-1 hours 11- hours Over hours 3% Average Work Week 1% Method of Overtime Compensation % 7% 6% 3% 36% 3- Over -3 Under 89% Time and a Half Comp Time Other Supervises Other Employees Staff Supervised 3% Secretary 7% No Yes 8% % File Clerk/Dataa Entry Clerk Project Assistant 1% Paralegals 73% 31% Receptionist 7

Training 8% Employer Provides In-house Training No Yes 7% % 1% 6% % Percentage of Time on Training % 65% Under 1% 1-% -3% 3-% -5% Other amount 16% 8% 3% Type of Training Provided General CLE Computer Software Training 18% Substantive Law CLE Company Policy Training 8% Other 8

Top 5 Tasks Maintain Law Library Conduct Due Diligencee for Mergers & Acquisitions Draft, Distribute & File Corporate Documents Interview Witnesses or Other Pertinent Individuals Attend Trials & Take Notes of Proceedings Prepare Federal or State Filings Prepare Forms for Administrative Agencies Obtain/Analyze Medical Records Obtain/Analyze Reports from Police or Other Agencies Review/Summarize Deposition Transcripts Create/Maintain Docket Systems Draft Privilege/Redaction Logs Draft Agreements/Contracts Summarize/Analyze Discovery Responses Gather/Organize Informationn on Companies, Products & Prepare/Organize Trial Notebooks & Other Draft Discovery Requestss & Responses Retrieve/Manage Records Perform Legal Research Attend/Organize Document Productions Preparee for/attend Client Meetings Draft, File & Serve Pleadings Maintain Document Databases Maintain Case Files Review/Analyz ze Documents 1 3 5 6 9

Billable Rates and Related Information Bill Time? Rate Varies By Client or Work Billable Hour Requirement Delegate Non-Billable to Support Staff 68% 3% 8% 5% 7% 53% 68% 3% No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes Average Billable Rate Annual Billable Hour Requirement 1% %1% 6% 17% Over $ $151-$ $16-$15 17% 17% 8% 18% 1, to 1,6 1, to 1, More than 1,6 1, to 1, $11-$15 8% 16% 18% $76-$1 $51-$75 $6-$5 Under $5 Billable Hours Measured 3% 17% Annually 1% Monthly Daily 39% Weekly % of Billable Work 7% 3% 16% 5% 9% 76-1% 51-75% 6-5% 11-5% < 1% % Non-Billable Client Work 3% % 9% < 1% 5% 5% 33% 53% 75% > 75% % % Non-Billable Administrative % 1% < 1% 5% 35% 5% 6% 75% > 75% 1

Salary and Bonuses Statewide Gross Annual Salary % 1% 1% 1% % 1% $5,, - $5,999 $,, - $,999 $5,, - $9,999 % 3% 13% $55,, - $59,999 $6,, - $6,999 $65,, - $69,999 % $35,, - $39,999 % 5% 13% $7,, - $7,999 $3,, - $3,999 $75,, - $79,999 $8,, - $8,999 $5,, - $9,999 7% Under $5, 1% $85,, - $89,999 8% 11% $9,, - $9,999 $1, or more $95,, - $99,999 Bonus Structure How Bonus Is Determined No 18% 8% Billable Hours 9% 51% Yes 19% Other/Unknown Performance 35% Fees Collected 11

Benefits Top Responses Regarding Benefits No benefits provided by Employer Free or Reduced Transit Pass Other Pension/Retirement Plan Freee or Reduced Legal Representation Profit Sharing Plan Life Insurance for Spouse/Family Vision Insurance for Spouse/Family Vision Insurance Dental Insurance for Spouse/Family Free or Reduced Parking Health Insurance for Spouse/Family Dental Insurance Life Insurance 1(k) Plan Health Insurance PTO Determined by Employment Length 15% 85% Annual Paid Time Off Days 1% 1% 58% 7% No Yes 1 3 5 6-1 Over 1 1-5 None Percentage e of Benefit Cost Covered by Employer % % 3% % 9% 37% 91-1% 71-8% 1-5% No Benefits Offered 81-9% 5% 1-% 6% 51-6% 61-7% 6% Firm Does not Pay for Benefits 11-% 8% 8% 1% 1% Unknown 1

Salary Information by Circuit 3rd Judicial Circuit (Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor) With only two Paralegals responding within this Judicial Circuit, we can only report that both professionals earn between $3,-$3,999; neither have required billable hours; but when they do bill, their rates are between $51.-$75.. 16th Judicial Circuit (Monroe) With only one Paralegal responding within this Judicial Circuit, we can only report that the professional earns between $35,-$39,999; and does not bill time to clients. 13

1st Judicial Circuit (Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton) Salary Ranges $55, - $59,999 $5, - $9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $39,999 $3, - $3,999 Under $5, 1-5 Years = 6-1 Years = 11-15 Years = 16- Years = Over Yrs = Under $5, $,5 $35, $35, $7,5 1 3 Minimum Billing Requirements 3% 3% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required Average Income $39,31 7% Billable Rates $11 - $15 $76 - $1 $75 $51 - $75 1 3 5 1

nd Judicial Circuit (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla) Salary Ranges $7, - $7,999 $6, - $6,999 $55, - $59,999 $5, - $5,999 $5, - $9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $39,999 1-5 Years = 6-1 Years = 11-15 Years = 16- Years = Over Yrs = Not Available $6,5 $7,5 $,5 $56,667 1 3 5 6 Minimum Billing Requirements 15% 1% 5% 1% 35% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Over 16 Hrs Required Average Income $5,8755 5% Billable Rates $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $76 - $1 $51 - $75 $8 $6 - $5 Under $5 1 3 15

th Judicial Circuit (Clay, Duval and Nassau) $7, - $7,999 $65, - $69,999 $6, - $6,999 $55, - $59,999 $5, - $5,999 $5, - $9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $39,999 $3, - $3,999 Under $5, Salary Ranges 1-5 Years = 6-1 Years = 11-15 Years = 16- Years = Over Yrs = $,5 $6,818 $51,77 $61,786 $5,3 6 8 1 Minimum Billing Requirements % 5% 16% 7% 18% 5% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Average Median Income $51,6 $151 - $ Billable Rates $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $76 - $1 $51 - $75 $11 $6 - $5 Under $5 6 8 16

5th Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter) $6, - $ 6,999 $5, - $ 9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $ 39,999 $5, - $ 9,999 Salary Ranges.5 1 1.5.5 3 3.5 1-5 Years = $ 37,5* 6-1 Years = $37,5 11-15 Years = $35,833 16- Years = $, Over Yrs = $55, *Only one response Minimumm Billing Requirements 3% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum Average Income 7% $1,167 $16 - $15 Billable Rates $11 - $15 $ 76 - $1 $51 - $75 $9 Under $5.5 1 1.5.5 17

Salary Ranges 6th Judicial Circuit (Pasco and Pinellas) $85, - $89,9999 $7, - $7,9999 $65, - $69,9999 $6, - $6,9999 $5, - $5,9999 $5, - $9,9999 $, - $,9999 $3, - $3,9999 $5, - $9,9999 Under $5, 1-5 Years = 6-1 Years = 11-15 Years = 16- Years = Over Yrs = Not Available $8,75 $5,78 $56,667 $56,389 6 8 1 1 % Minimum Billing Requirements 3% 3% 1% 6% % 5% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Average Income $51,771 $151 - $ Billable Rates $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $ 76 - $1 $51 - $75 $1 $6 - $5 6 8 18

7th Judicial Circuit (Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia) Salary Ranges $8, - $8,999 $55, - $59,999 $5, - $5,999 $5, - $9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $39,999 $3, - $3,999 Under $5, 1-5 Years = $33,75 6-1 Years = $37,5* 11-15 Years = $3,5* 16- Years = $,833 Over Yrs = $51,667 *only one response 1 3 5 Minimum Billing Requirements 3% 5% 1% 53% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Average Income $,5 Over $ Billable Rates $151 - $ $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $ 76 - $1 $1 $51 - $75.5 1 1.5.5 3 19

8th Judicial Circuit (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union) Salary Ranges $55,, - $59,999 $5,, - $9,999 $,, - $,999 $35,, - $39,999 Under $5, 1-5 Years = Not Available 6-1 Years = $,167 11-15 Years = $,167 16- Years = Not Available Over Yrs = $,5* *Only one response. 5 1 1.5.5 Minimum Billing Requirements 67% 33% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum Average Income $1,389 Billable Rates $76 - $1 $88 1 3 5

9th Judicial Circuit (Orange and Osceola) Salary Ranges Over $1, $9, - $9,9999 $85, - $89,9999 $8, - $8,9999 $75, - $79, $7, - $7,9999 $65, - $69,9999 $6, - $6,9999 $55, - $59,9999 $5, - $5,9999 $5, - $9,9999 $, - $,9999 $35, - $39,9999 1-5 Years = $7,5* 6-1 Years = $55,833 11-15 Years = $6,778 16- Years = $58,1 Over Yrs = $6,886 *Only one response 6 8 1 1 1 Minimum Billing Requirements 5% 1% 15% 1% 3% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Averagee Income $57,,8 3% $ 16 - $15 Billable Rates $ 11 - $15 $76 - $1 $13 $51 - $75 6 8 1 1 1

Salary Ranges 1th Judicial Circuit (Hardee, Highlands, and Polk) $ 65, - $69,999 $ 6, - $6,999 $ 55, - $59,999 $ 5, - $5,999 $, - $,999 $ 35, - $39,999 $ 3, - $3,999 1-5 Years = $ 5,5* 6-1 Years = $35, 11-15 Years = $5,5 16- Years = $7,5 Over Yrs = $6,667 *Only one response 1 3 Minimum Billing Requirements 7% 7% 1% 9% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required Over 16 Hrs Required Average Income $6,833 3% Billable Rates $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $1 $ 76 - $1 1 3 5 6 7

11th Judicial Circuit (Miami-Dade) Salary Ranges Over $1, $95, - $99,999 $9, - $9,999 $85, - $89,999 $8, - $8,999 $75, - $79, $7, - $7,999 $65, - $69,999 $6, - $6,999 $55, - $59,999 $5, - $5,999 $5, - $9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $39,999 $3, - $3,999 $5, - $9,999 1-5 Years = $9, 6-1 Years = $55,833 11-15 Years = $68,8 16- Years = $71,389 Over Yrs = $7,385 6 8 1 1 Minimum Billing Requirements % 8% % 7% 1% 7% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required Average Income $63,866 Over $ $151 - $ $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $ 76 - $1 $51 - $75 $6 - $5 Billable Rates $135 6 8 1 1 1 3

1th Judicial Circuit ( DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota) Salary Ranges $6, - $6,999 $55, - $59,999 $5, - $5,999 $5, - $9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $39,999 Under $5, 1-5 Years = $1,5 6-1 Years = $5,7 11-15 Years = $8,99 16- Years = $6,5 Over Yrs = $5,357 6 8 1 1 Minimum Billing Requirements 3% 3% 3% 1% % Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Average Income $7,53 3% Over $ $151 - $ $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $ 76 - $1 $51 - $75 $6 - $5 Billable Rates $9 6 8 1 1

13th Judicial Circuit (Hillsborough) $8, - $75, - $7, - $65, - $6, - $55, - $5, - $5, - $, - $35, - $3, - $5, - Under $5, Salary Ranges 1-5 Years = $,5 6-1 Years = $5, 11-15 Years = $56, 16- Years = $6,833 Over Yrs = $58,77 5 1 15 Minimum Billing Requirements 3% 3% 3% 1% % Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Average Income $53,77 3% Over $ Billable Rates $151 - $ $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $ 76 - $1 $13 $51 - $75 $6 - $5 6 8 1 1 5

1th Judicial Circuit (Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington) Salary Ranges $5, - $5,999 $5, - $9,999 $35, - $39,999 $5, - $9,999 1-5 Years = Not Available 6-1 Years = $ 37,5* 11-15 Years = $ 7,5* 16- Years = Not Available Over Yrs = $5, *Only one response...6.8 1 1. Minimum Billing Requirements 5% 5% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum Average Income $38,333 Billable Rates $76 - $1 $75 $51 - $75.5 1 1.5 6

Salary Ranges 15th Judicial Circuit (Palm Beach) $95, - $99,999 $9, - $9,999 $85, - $89,999 $8, - $8,999 $75, - $79, $7, - $7,999 $65, - $69,999 $6, - $6,999 $55, - $59,999 $5, - $5,999 $5, - $9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $39,999 1-5 Years = $,5* 6-1 Years = $55,19 11-15 Years = $6, 16- Years = $6,5 Over Yrs = $68,889 6 8 1 1 % Minimum Billing Requirements 8% 1 % % 8% 6% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Over 16 Hrs Required Average Income $57,816 Over $ Billable Rates $151 - $ $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $76 - $1 $13 $6 - $5 6 8 1 1 1 16 7

Salary Ranges 17th Judicial Circuit ( Broward) $85, - $89,9999 $8, - $8,9999 $75, - $79, $7, - $7,9999 $65, - $69,9999 $6, - $6,9999 $55, - $59,9999 $5, - $5,9999 $5, - $9,9999 $, - $,9999 $35, - $39,9999 $3, - $3,9999 1-5 Years = Not Available 6-1 Years = $51,786 11-15 Years = $57,5 16- Years = $6,7 Over Yrs = $6,167 1 3 5 6 7 8 3% Minimum Billing Requirements 3% 1% 8% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Over 16 Hrs Required Average Income $59,9 5% Billable Rates Over $ $151 - $ $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $1 $ 76 - $1 $51 - $75 1 3 5 8

Salary Ranges 18th Judicial Circuit (Brevard and Seminole) $7, - $7,999 $5, - $5,999 $5, - $9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $39,999 $3, - $3,999 $5, - $9,999 1-5 Years = Not Available 6-1 Years = $,833 11-15 Years = $ 37,5* 16- Years = $3,167 Over Yrs = $58,75 *Only one response.5 1 1.5.5 3 3.5 Minimum Billing Requirements 9% 9% 18% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required Average Income $,81 6% Billable Rates $151 - $ $16 - $15 $115 $76 - $1 1 3 5 6 9

$6,, - $6,999 $5,, - $5,999 $5,, - $9,999 $3,, - $3,999 Under $5, (Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie) Salary Ranges 19th Judicial Circuit 1-5 Years = $ 5,* 6-1 Years = $1,667 11-15 Years = $7,5 16- Years = Not Available Over Yrs = $5, 1 3 5 Minimum Billing Requirements 8% 3% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-16 Hrs Required Average Income $, 69% Billable Rates $151 - $ $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $1 $ 76 - $1.5 1 1.5.5 3 3.5 3

th Judicial Circuit (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee) Salary Ranges $75, - $79, $7, - $7,999 $65, - $69,999 $6, - $6,999 $55, - $59,999 $5, - $5,999 $5, - $9,999 $, - $,999 $35, - $39,999 $3, - $3,999 Under $5, 1-5 Years = $35,833 6-1 Years = $9,167 11-15 Years = $59,5 16- Years = $5,5 Over Yrs = $55,357 1 3 5 6 7 8 Minimum Billing Requirements 3% 6% % 13% Do Not Bill No Required Minimum 1-1 Hrs Required 1-1 Hrs Required 1-16 Hrs Required Average Income $5,63 56% $151 - $ Billable Rates $16 - $15 $11 - $15 $ 76 - $1 $51 - $75 $15 $6 - $5 6 8 1 31