Overall Survey Results:


Asheville Area Paralegal Association 2010 Salary Survey


1Welcome to the 2010 Asheville Area Paralegal Association's Salary Survey.  Let's start: What is your title?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)
   
3 6.2%
Certified Paralegal (CP)
   
6 12.5%
Legal Assistant
   
3 6.2%
Paralegal
   
13 27.0%
Senior Legal Assistant
   
1 2.0%
Senior Paralegal
   
1 2.0%
Paralegal Manager
 
0 0.0%
Paralegal Educator
 
0 0.0%
Office Manager
   
3 6.2%
Case Manager
 
0 0.0%
North Carolina Certified Paralegal (NCCP)
   
18 37.5%
Litigation Paralegal
   
6 12.5%
Other
   
2 4.1%
 Totals48100%
2Which of the following most accurately describes your job description?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Paralegal (I conduct legal research, draft pleadings, and prepare closings)
   
34 70.8%
Legal Assistant (I draft some pleadings, handle correspondence, and calendaring)
   
5 10.4%
Legal Secretary (I handle correspondence, filing, and phone calls)
 
0 0.0%
Law Student/Legal Clerk (I am enrolled, or will be enrolled in law school, and working at a law firm, but I am not a licensed attorney)
 
0 0.0%
Office Manager (I oversee the daily operations of the firm, accounting, and advertising)
 
0 0.0%
Public Sector/Government (I work for a Judge, in the Courthouse, the DOJ, etc.)
   
1 2.0%
Bookkeeper (I only oversee the accouting of the firm)
 
0 0.0%
Runner/File Clerk/Receptionist (I mostly handle filing and courthouse runs)
 
0 0.0%
Other
   
8 16.6%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
3What is your gender?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Male
   
2 4.1%
Female
   
46 95.8%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
4What general education (excluding paralegal education) do you have?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
High School
   
2 4.1%
Some College
   
15 31.2%
Associate's Degree
   
14 29.1%
Bachelor's Degree
   
15 31.2%
Master's Degree
   
2 4.1%
Doctorate
 
0 0.0%
General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.)
 
0 0.0%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
5What law-related educational background do you have?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Bachelor's degree paralegal program
   
1 2.0%
Associate's degree paralegal program
   
14 29.1%
Paralegal Certificate
   
16 33.3%
Paralegal Classes (Non-degree/certifica-
te seeking program)
   
3 6.2%
On-the-job training
   
13 27.0%
No formal training
 
0 0.0%
Other
   
1 2.0%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
6If you attended a paralegal program, was it approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of your attendance?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Yes
   
17 35.4%
No
   
17 35.4%
No Responses
   
1429.1%
 Totals48100%
7What type of certification do you have?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) Through National Assocation of Legal Assistant (NALA)
   
5 10.6%
North Carolina Certified Paralegal (NCCP) by the North Carolina State Bar
   
32 68.0%
Registered Paralegal (RP) by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
 
0 0.0%
Professional Paralegal (PP) by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS)
 
0 0.0%
Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
   
1 2.1%
None, but I am working toward certification.
   
5 10.6%
None, and I am not working towards certification.
   
8 17.0%
Other
   
1 2.1%
 Totals47100%
8If you are certified, what benefits do you receive as a result of your certification?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Higher Salary
   
9 25.7%
Additional Benefits (Please list under the "other" option below)
   
1 2.8%
Made/makes you a more attractive candidate when applying for jobs
   
22 62.8%
Employer pays for CLE/CPE Opportunities
   
21 60.0%
Employer pays for professional association membership fees
   
19 54.2%
Other
   
4 11.4%
 Totals35100%
9What is your career path?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Paralegal/Senior Paralegal
   
32 66.6%
Office Manager/Firm Administrator
   
6 12.5%
Other
   
6 12.5%
No Responses
   
48.3%
 Totals48100%
10What are your career goals?
 
 Number of
Responses
  24
11Total years of experience as a paralegal/legal assistant?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Less than a year
   
2 4.1%
1-3 years
   
2 4.1%
3-5 years
   
7 14.5%
5-7 years
   
5 10.4%
7-10 years
   
9 18.7%
11-15 years
   
4 8.3%
16-20 years
   
7 14.5%
21-25 years
   
7 14.5%
25 or more years
   
5 10.4%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
12Which county do you work in?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Buncombe
   
36 75.0%
Henderson
 
0 0.0%
Haywood
   
1 2.0%
Polk
 
0 0.0%
Madison
 
0 0.0%
Other
   
10 20.8%
No Responses
   
12.0%
 Totals48100%
13Which county do you live in?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Buncombe
   
22 45.8%
Henderson
   
5 10.4%
Haywood
   
4 8.3%
Polk
 
0 0.0%
Madison
   
3 6.2%
Other
   
14 29.1%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
14In what environment do you work?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Private Firm
   
39 81.2%
Government (Federal or State)
   
2 4.1%
State Agency
   
2 4.1%
Corporation
   
1 2.0%
Health/Medical Field
 
0 0.0%
Bank
 
0 0.0%
Insurance Company
 
0 0.0%
Non-for-Profit
   
2 4.1%
Other
   
1 2.0%
No Responses
   
12.0%
 Totals48100%
15Time with your current employer?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Less than one year
   
8 16.6%
1-3 years
   
12 25.0%
3-5 years
   
7 14.5%
5-7 years
   
5 10.4%
8-10 years
   
4 8.3%
11-13 years
   
4 8.3%
13-15 years
   
1 2.0%
15-20 years
   
3 6.2%
20 or more years
   
4 8.3%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
16How many attorneys work in your office?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
1-2
   
20 41.6%
3-5
   
13 27.0%
6-8
   
2 4.1%
9-11
 
0 0.0%
11-20
   
2 4.1%
20 or more
   
11 22.9%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
17How many full-time paralegals or legal assistants work in your office?

 
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
1-5
   
34 70.8%
6-10
   
5 10.4%
11-15
 
0 0.0%
15-20
   
4 8.3%
20 or more
   
5 10.4%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
18Which area of law do you primarily work? You may select up to 3 areas of practice.
 

 
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Administrative
 
0 0.0%
Banking/Finance/Taxes
 
0 0.0%
Bankruptcy
   
1 2.0%
Civil
   
20 41.6%
Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice
   
12 25.0%
Consumer Rights
 
0 0.0%
Contract
   
7 14.5%
Corporate
   
7 14.5%
Criminal
   
1 2.0%
Real Estate
   
13 27.0%
Non-profit corporation, foundation, or association
 
0 0.0%
Elder
 
0 0.0%
Employment
   
4 8.3%
Environmental
   
1 2.0%
Estate/Probate
   
7 14.5%
Family
   
6 12.5%
Social Security/Workers' Compensation
   
9 18.7%
Immigration
 
0 0.0%
Insurance
   
1 2.0%
Intellectual Property
   
2 4.1%
Other
   
3 6.2%
 Totals48100%
19What is your gross salary, not including any bonuses or other benefits?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Less than $20,000
 
0 0.0%
$20,000 to $24,999
 
0 0.0%
$25,000 to $29,999
   
9 18.7%
$30,000 to $32,999
   
4 8.3%
$33,000 to $35,999
   
9 18.7%
$36,000 to $38,999
   
8 16.6%
$39,000 to $40,999
   
7 14.5%
$41,000 to $43,999
   
4 8.3%
$44,000 to $45,999
   
1 2.0%
$46,000 to $48,999
   
2 4.1%
$49,000 to $50,999
   
2 4.1%
$51,000 to $53,999
   
1 2.0%
$54,000 to $55,999
 
0 0.0%
$56,000 to $59,999
 
0 0.0%
$60,000 or higher
   
1 2.0%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
20Do you receive an annual bonus?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Yes
   
31 64.5%
No
   
11 22.9%
Other
   
6 12.5%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
21If you receive a bonus, what is the average amount of your bonus?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Less than $100
   
1 2.0%
$100 - $200
   
2 4.1%
$201 - $300
   
1 2.0%
$301 - $400
 
0 0.0%
$401 - $500
   
2 4.1%
$501 - $600
   
3 6.2%
$601 - $700
   
1 2.0%
$701 - $800
 
0 0.0%
$801 - $900
   
1 2.0%
$901 - $1,000
   
8 16.6%
Other
   
16 33.3%
No Responses
   
1327.0%
 Totals48100%
22If you receive an annual bonus, is your bonus based on:
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Firm/company success
   
21 60.0%
% of Salary (Cost of living increase)
   
6 17.1%
Merit
   
9 25.7%
Holiday
   
8 22.8%
Billable Hours
   
2 5.7%
Years of Service
   
5 14.2%
Other
   
6 17.1%
 Totals35100%
23Are you paid by the hour or do you have a set salary?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Hourly
   
16 33.3%
Salary
   
28 58.3%
Other
   
1 2.0%
No Responses
   
36.2%
 Totals48100%
24What is the average number of hours you work per week?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Under 35
 
0 0.0%
35-40
   
28 58.3%
40-50
   
18 37.5%
50-60
   
2 4.1%
61 or more
 
0 0.0%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
25How are you compensated for overtime?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Overtime pay at my regular wage
   
4 8.3%
Overtime pay at time and a half
   
15 31.2%
Compensatory time off
   
6 12.5%
Combination of money and time off
   
4 8.3%
I am not compensated for overtime.
   
17 35.4%
Other
   
2 4.1%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
26Have you received a raise in the last year?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Yes
   
19 39.5%
No
   
21 43.7%
Not Applicable/Not at current employer long enough to qualify for a raise.
   
8 16.6%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
27If you received a raise, what percentage was your raise?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
1-2%
   
7 14.5%
3-5%
   
9 18.7%
6-10%
   
3 6.2%
11-15%
 
0 0.0%
15% or higher
   
1 2.0%
I did not receive a raise last year.
   
14 29.1%
No Responses
   
1429.1%
 Totals48100%
28If you received a raise last year, what was the dollar increase?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
$500 or less
   
5 10.4%
$500 - $1000
   
3 6.2%
$1000 - $3000
   
7 14.5%
$3000 - $5000
   
2 4.1%
$5000 or more
   
1 2.0%
I did not recieve a raise last year.
   
17 35.4%
No Responses
   
1327.0%
 Totals48100%
29What benefits paid, in whole or in part, by your employer? (You may select more than one.)
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Medical Insurance
   
42 89.3%
Dental Insurance
   
18 38.2%
Vision Insurance
   
17 36.1%
Life Insurance
   
22 46.8%
Maternity Leave
   
8 17.0%
Short-term disability
   
10 21.2%
Long-term disability
   
12 25.5%
Pension/profit sharing
   
16 34.0%
Parking
   
16 34.0%
401(k)
   
23 48.9%
IRA
   
4 8.5%
Association Memberships
   
20 42.5%
Gym/Health related memberships
   
4 8.5%
Child care
 
0 0.0%
Employee stock purchase plan
   
2 4.2%
Stock options
   
1 2.1%
Tuition reimbursement
   
5 10.6%
Training/CLE/CPE
   
28 59.5%
Cell Phone
   
5 10.6%
Company car/mileage
   
11 23.4%
Other
   
4 8.5%
 Totals47100%
30Which of the following are provided by your employer? (You may select more than one.)
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Seminars
   
17 47.2%
Career path programs
 
0 0.0%
Retreats
   
3 8.3%
In-house CLE/CPE
   
7 19.4%
Personal Days (Not vacation days)
   
23 63.8%
Part-time employment
   
4 11.1%
Flexible spending plans
   
20 55.5%
Orientation plan
   
2 5.5%
 Totals36100%
31How many vacation days do you recieve per year?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
1-5
   
2 4.1%
6-10
   
16 33.3%
11-15
   
17 35.4%
16-20
   
6 12.5%
21 or more
   
2 4.1%
Other
   
5 10.4%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
32Is your vacation time accruable?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Yes
   
21 43.7%
No
   
25 52.0%
No Responses
   
24.1%
 Totals48100%
33How many personal/sick days do you recieve per year?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
1-5
   
19 39.5%
6-10
   
19 39.5%
No Responses
   
1020.8%
 Totals48100%
34What expenses are you reimbursed for, in whole or in part, relating to association meetings, seminars, or CLE/CPE credits? (You may select more than one.)
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Registration
   
34 79.0%
Lodging
   
26 60.4%
Transportation
   
19 44.1%
Mileage
   
30 69.7%
Meals
   
21 48.8%
My employer does not reimburse for these costs.
   
7 16.2%
 Totals43100%
35If you are not currently certified as a NCCP or CLA/CP, which of the following expenses would your employer be willing to cover?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Paralegal Courses (if needed)
   
4 50.0%
Test preparation courses
   
6 75.0%
Exam Manual/Study Guides
   
5 62.5%
Certification Fees
 
8 100.0%
Application Fees
 
8 100.0%
 Totals8100%
36When attending seminars, are you required to take vacation/sick days?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Yes
   
2 4.1%
No
   
42 87.5%
No Responses
   
48.3%
 Totals48100%
37In providing reimbursement for seminars, does your employer:
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Have a set budget only
   
5 10.4%
Have a range to work with
   
2 4.1%
Decide on a case-by-case basis
   
27 56.2%
My employer does not reimburse for seminars.
   
3 6.2%
Other
   
4 8.3%
No Responses
   
714.5%
 Totals48100%
38Do you bill your time?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Yes
   
26 54.1%
No
   
22 45.8%
No Responses
 
00.0%
 Totals48100%
39If you bill your time, what is your hourly billing rate?
 
 Number of
Responses
  25
40Are you required to bill a certain number of hours per year? If so, how many?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Less than 1,000
 
0 0.0%
1,000 - 1,250
   
2 4.1%
1,251 - 1,500
   
3 6.2%
Greater than 1,500
   
1 2.0%
I am not required to meet a certain amount of billable hours per year.
   
33 68.7%
No Responses
   
918.7%
 Totals48100%
41If you are certified, do you bill at a higher rate than those without certification?
 
Answer
0%100%
Number of
Responses		Response
Ratio
Yes
   
4 8.3%
No
   
13 27.0%
Not sure
   
9 18.7%
No Responses
   
2245.8%
 Totals48100%
42Has your company been affected by the current economic situation? If so, please explain:
 
 Number of
Responses
  30
43Do you have any comments on this year's salary survey?
 
 Number of
Responses
  13
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