New Jersey doesn’t require paralegal certification, but voluntary credentials like the New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP) from the South New Jersey Paralegal Association help you stand out. Most employers prefer candidates with ABA-approved paralegal education and relevant experience. Paralegals in New Jersey earn a median salary of $62,790 annually, with top earners making $98,360 or more.
With a rate of 4.6 attorneys per 1,000 people, according to the American Bar Association, New Jersey ranks among the nation’s top states for its concentration of attorneys. This isn’t a surprise, given New Jersey enjoys a prime position along the Eastern seaboard and is a stone’s throw from NYC.
Major corporations like Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, Campbell Soup in Camden, and Prudential Financial in Newark create exciting opportunities for paralegals who call New Jersey home. Top law firms, including Riker Danzig, McCarter & English, Gibbons PC, Cole Schotz, and Bressler, Amery & Ross, employ hundreds of paralegals across the state. With neighboring Pennsylvania and New York offering additional opportunities, the tri-state region provides unmatched career prospects for paralegals.
Suppose you want to become part of the dynamic paralegal profession. In that case, you’ll need to learn how to become a paralegal in New Jersey, which includes earning the education and credentials that today’s lawyers demand.
Paralegal Requirements in New Jersey
As in other states, New Jersey’s Rule 5.3 defines paralegals as paraprofessionals who may be employed to assist lawyers with legal work. Under this rule, lawyers are obligated to supervise paralegals directly, provide guidance on confidentiality and ethics protocols, and accept responsibility for their professional conduct.
New Jersey does not regulate its paralegals with respect to training and education. This means you can technically enter the field through on-the-job training. However, with an increased focus among employers on hiring qualified candidates and a competitive job market, more paralegals are choosing formal coursework in paralegal studies.
In 1999, the New Jersey Supreme Court encouraged New Jersey’s professional paralegal associations to develop voluntary certification processes to “provide a means of recognizing qualified paralegals.” To this end, the South Jersey Paralegal Association created the New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP) credential.
Voluntary Certification Options
New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP)
To qualify for NJCP membership, paralegals must meet a combination of education and work experience requirements. You must be a voting member of the South Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA) and meet one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from an accredited school and one year of substantive paralegal experience
- Bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited school, a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program, and one year of paralegal experience
- Bachelor’s degree in any subject and three years of paralegal experience
- Associate’s degree in paralegal studies and two years of paralegal experience
- Certificate from an ABA-approved paralegal program plus three years of paralegal experience
- Two years of paralegal experience plus one of the following national certifications:
- Registered Paralegal (RP) credential from the NFPA
- Certified Paralegal (CP)/Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) credential from NALA
- Any other national credential approved by the SJPA
National Certification
One way of becoming an NJCP is through national certification. Those who meet educational or work experience requirements are eligible to take one of the four exams currently offered by national professional paralegal associations. Exploring paralegal certification options can help you determine which credential best fits your career goals. Successful completion of the exam results in certification as a paralegal. The four exams are:
- The PACE and PCCE are offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
- The CLA/CP offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- The PP provided by the Association for Legal Professionals (NALS)
Each national professional association has different eligibility requirements for its certification exam.
Education Pathways
While professional certification is voluntary in New Jersey, paralegals may choose to enter the profession through on-the-job training or education. Not all programs meet ABA standards, so paralegals who desire to become NJCPs should research their program choices thoroughly.
Certificate Programs
Certificate programs in paralegal studies offer a direct entry into the paralegal profession with minimal general education requirements. Instead, certificate programs provide a focused education in paralegal studies. Graduates of such programs are called certificated paralegals. Certified paralegals may become NJCPs if the program is ABA-approved and they also work for 3 years in substantive legal work.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs are available for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any field and wish to complement that degree with specialized work in paralegal studies. The NJCP credential recognizes ABA-approved post-baccalaureate certificate programs.
Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees
Aspiring paralegals can also choose to earn degrees in paralegal studies. Associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees combine in-depth paralegal courses with general education requirements. As long as the educational institution is accredited, both types of degrees will prepare paralegals to become NJCPs in conjunction with work experience. Research accredited paralegal programs nationwide to compare options and find the best fit for your educational goals.
Salary and Job Market in New Jersey
A prime location on the Eastern seaboard, a stone’s throw from the nation’s economic epicenter, NYC, and a hub for the pharmaceutical, financial services, telecommunications, and food processing industries has made the Garden State a prime spot for paralegals, both in terms of professional opportunities and pay.
Statewide Salary Overview
As of May 2024, New Jersey employs 11,720 paralegals with salaries rising above the national average. The median annual wage for New Jersey paralegals is $62,790, or $30.19 per hour. That’s about $1,780 higher than the national paralegal salary data for this profession.
The mean (average) salary in New Jersey is $69,010 annually, or $33.18 per hour. This higher average reflects the strong earning potential for experienced paralegals in the state.
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Early Career | 25th Percentile | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Mid-Career | Median (50th) | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Experienced | 75th Percentile | $78,530 | $37.76 |
| Senior/Specialized | 90th Percentile | $98,360 | $47.29 |
The top earners in New Jersey (top 10%) are those with extensive experience, including in one or more law specialties such as immigration law, civil rights law, litigation, or family law. These professionals earn at least $98,360 per year, or $47.29 per hour.
Metropolitan Area Salaries
There’s no other metro area in the world that can compare to the New York-Newark-Jersey City region when it comes to paralegal jobs. This central metro area employs 29,300 paralegals across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania as of May 2024, making it the largest paralegal market in the nation.
The Newark-Jersey City area comes out on top for paralegal pay in the state, both at the average and top-10 % levels. Trenton is close behind, and both metro areas offer above-average paralegal salaries.
| Metropolitan Area | Mean Salary | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Newark-Jersey City-NYC | $77,050 ($37.04/hour) | $107,520 ($51.69/hour) |
| Trenton | $74,990 ($36.06/hour) | $102,060 ($49.07/hour) |
| Atlantic City | $58,230 ($28.00/hour) | $80,600 ($38.75/hour) |
| Vineland | $52,890 ($25.43/hour) | $70,770 ($34.02/hour) |
Job Growth Projections
The paralegal profession in New Jersey shows promising growth prospects. Based on site estimates using national growth rates, employment is projected to grow from 11,720 positions in 2022 to approximately 12,720 positions by 2032, representing roughly 8.5% growth. The state expects approximately 1,000 annual job openings for paralegals over this period, including both new positions and replacement needs.
This growth reflects the ongoing demand for legal services in New Jersey’s robust economy and the increasing reliance on paralegals to handle substantive legal work efficiently.
Paralegal Programs and Schools in New Jersey
The body of knowledge required to perform legal support services effectively can only be gained through a formal education in paralegal studies. As attorneys, corporations, and government agencies work within an increasingly complex legal framework, the level of responsibility paralegals are expected to take on has also increased.
Law offices and other employers in New Jersey have come to rely on paralegals with the kind of expertise that can only come from earning a certificate or degree in paralegal studies. Whether you have dreams of working in one of Newark’s leading law firms or you see yourself working for a nationally renowned nonprofit in Paterson, there are programs throughout the state that’ll get you there.
Nationwide, paralegal programs number in the hundreds, but not all programs are created equal. Look for programs that have earned regional or national accreditation and, ideally, ABA approval for paralegal education.
New Jersey Paralegal Schools
Atlantic Cape Community College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Bergen Community College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate (post-associate, admission also requires current RN license) – Campus
Berkeley College-Woodland Park
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Legal Studies – Campus, Online
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies – Campus, Online
Legal Studies Certificate Program – Campus, Online
Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate – Campus, Online
Brookdale Community College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Certificate in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Camden County College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Centenary University
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Studies Minor – Campus
Cumberland County College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Studies Certificate – Campus
Essex County College
Associate in Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Certificate of Achievement in Nurse Paralegal Studies – Campus
Mercer County Community College
Paralegal Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Campus
Paralegal Certificate of Proficiency (post-associate) – Campus
Middlesex County College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Studies Certificate (post-associate) – Campus
Montclair State University
Minor in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Justice Studies with a Paralegal Studies Concentration – Campus
Paralegal Studies Certificate (post-bac) – Campus
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Minor in Legal Studies – Campus
Ocean County College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Business-Paralegal Studies Option – Online
Legal Secretary Certificate of Proficiency – Online
Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies – Online
Raritan Valley Community College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Studies Certificate – Campus
Rowan College at Burlington County
Paralegal Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Campus
Rowan College of South Jersey at Gloucester County
Paralegal Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Campus
Paralegal Certificate (post-associate) – Campus
Seton Hall University
Minor in Legal Studies in Business – Campus
Sussex County Community College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Certificate in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Union County College
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies – Campus
Paralegal Certificate of Achievement (post-associate) – Campus
Warren County Community College
Associate of Arts (AA) in Liberal Arts Pre-Law – Campus
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Legal Studies – Campus
Minor in Legal Studies – Campus
Professional Associations
Paralegals who live or work in New Jersey may choose to join one of the two professional paralegal organizations. Both associations provide valuable networking, continuing education, and career support resources.
Paralegal Association of New Jersey (PANJ)
The Paralegal Association of New Jersey (PANJ) is affiliated with NALA. It provides educational and social meetings, a job bank, and support for members working towards certification through NALA’s CLA/CP exam.
One of PANJ’s main goals is to be a voice for paralegals throughout the state, especially in dialogue with the New Jersey State Bar and other decision-makers whose choices can significantly impact paralegals.
PANJ Membership Levels:
- Regular Membership – Open to employed paralegals who meet one of the following:
- Passage of NALA’s Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)/Certified Paralegal (CP) exam
- Graduation from an ABA-approved paralegal program
- Graduation from an institutionally-accredited paralegal program that is at least 60 semester credits and includes 15 credits in substantive legal courses
- Graduation from a paralegal program in substantial compliance with ABA guidelines, plus six months of in-house paralegal training
- Bachelor’s degree in any field plus six months of in-house paralegal training
- Three years of law-related experience plus six months of in-house paralegal training
- Two years of in-house paralegal training
- Student Membership – Open to students enrolled in a paralegal education program
- Sustaining Membership – Open to all firms, corporations, and individuals interested in supporting PANJ
South Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA)
The South Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA) is an affiliate of the NFPA. The SJPA works to increase opportunities for paralegals by raising paralegals’ level of competence and professionalism.
In addition to creating the New Jersey Certified Paralegal credential, the SJPA offers regular educational meetings, continuing legal education (CLE), a mentoring program, scholarships, and a lending library. The SJPA is active in the larger legal community, representing the interests of paralegals through the New Jersey State Bar Association Committee on Paralegals and by monitoring legislation that could impact paralegals.
SJPA Membership Levels:
- Voting – Open to employed paralegals who meet one of the following:
- Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in paralegal studies
- Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in any field, plus a paralegal certificate
- Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved or AAfPE-member program
- Paralegal certificate from a non-correspondence program plus two years of paralegal experience
- Three years of paralegal experience
- Associate – Open to individuals who meet one of the following:
- Employed as a paralegal, but not meeting the conditions for Voting membership
- Paralegal program graduate, but not employed
- Previously employed as a paralegal, but currently not working in the field
- Membership in good standing with another NFPA organization
- Employed as a paralegal coordinator, educator, or administrator
- Student – Open to anyone enrolled in a non-correspondence paralegal program
- Sustaining – Open to any person or entity that supports the goals of the SJPA
Major Law Firms in New Jersey
New Jersey has many large law firms that employ paralegals. Some of the largest law firms in New Jersey include:
- Gibbons
- McCarter and English, LLP (Newark & East New Brunswick)
- Lowenstein Sandler PC
- MacElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP
- Day Pitney LLP
- Sills Cummis Epstein & Gross P.C.
- Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP (Morristown)
- Fox Rothschild
- Archer & Greiner PC
- Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A.
- Cole Schotz (Hackensack)
- Bressler, Amery & Ross (Florham Park)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need certification to work as a paralegal in New Jersey?
No, New Jersey doesn’t require paralegals to hold any specific certification or license. However, volunteer certifications like the New Jersey Certified Paralegal (NJCP) or national certifications (CLA/CP, PACE) can significantly improve your job prospects and demonstrate your commitment to the profession. Most employers prefer candidates with formal paralegal education from ABA-approved programs.
What education do I need to become a paralegal in New Jersey?
While there’s no legal requirement, most employers prefer candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, or a post-baccalaureate certificate for those who already have a degree in another field. Look for ABA-approved programs to maximize your career opportunities and eligibility for the NJCP credential.
How much do paralegals make in New Jersey?
The median annual salary for paralegals in New Jersey is $62,790, which is higher than the national average. Entry-level paralegals earn around $39,710, while experienced paralegals in the top 10% make $98,360 or more. Salaries are highest in the Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area, where the median salary is $77,050 annually.
What’s the difference between the NJCP and national certifications?
The NJCP (New Jersey Certified Paralegal) is a state-specific credential offered by the South Jersey Paralegal Association that recognizes qualified paralegals practicing in New Jersey. National certifications such as the CLA/CP (NALA), PACE (NFPA), or PP (NALS) are recognized nationwide. Having a national certification can help you qualify for the NJCP credential with fewer years of experience.
How long does it take to become a paralegal in New Jersey?
The timeline depends on your educational path. A certificate program can be completed in as little as several months to a year. An associate degree typically takes two years, while a bachelor’s degree takes four years. Post-baccalaureate certificates for those with existing degrees usually take one to two years. Many programs offer part-time and online options to accommodate working professionals.
What are the job prospects for paralegals in New Jersey?
Job prospects are strong. Based on site estimates using national growth rates, the state projects approximately 8.5% growth in paralegal positions from 2022 to 2032. With about 1,000 annual openings expected (including replacements), there are solid opportunities for qualified candidates. The Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area is part of the tri-state region that employs 29,300 paralegals across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, making it the largest paralegal market in the nation.
Which paralegal association should I join in New Jersey?
New Jersey has two leading associations: the Paralegal Association of New Jersey (PANJ), affiliated with NALA, and the South Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA), affiliated with NFPA. SJPA offers the NJCP credential. Both provide networking, continuing education, and career support. Consider which national organization’s certification path aligns with your goals, or join both for maximum networking opportunities.
Can I work as a paralegal with just on-the-job training?
Technically, yes, since New Jersey doesn’t regulate paralegal qualifications. However, the competitive job market and employer preferences make formal education increasingly important. Most law firms and corporate legal departments now prefer or require candidates with paralegal education from accredited programs. On-the-job training alone may limit your career advancement and salary potential.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey doesn’t require paralegal certification, but voluntary credentials like the NJCP significantly improve job prospects and demonstrate professionalism.
- Most employers prefer candidates with formal paralegal education from ABA-approved programs, either through degrees or certificate programs.
- New Jersey paralegals earn a median salary of $62,790 annually (as of May 2024), with top earners making $98,360 or more, especially in the Newark-Jersey City metro area.
- The state offers two professional associations (PANJ and SJPA) that provide networking, continuing education, and career support.t
- Based on site estimates using national growth rates, job growth projections show approximately 8.5% growth from 2022 to 2032, with about 1,000 annual openings for qualified paralegals.ls
- Multiple education pathways exist, including associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, certificates, and post-baccalaureate options.
- The tri-state New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area employs 29,300 paralegals across NY, NJ, and PA, making it the nation’s largest paralegal market.
- National certifications (CLA/CP, PACE, PCCE, PP) can help you qualify for the NJCP credential with reduced experience requirements.s
Ready to Start Your Paralegal Career in New Jersey?
Explore ABA-approved paralegal programs throughout New Jersey and take the first step toward a rewarding legal career. Compare program options, tuition rates, and delivery methods to find the perfect fit for your goals.
Resources for New Jersey Paralegals
- The Paralegal Association of New Jersey (PANJ), affiliated with NALA
- South Jersey Paralegal Association (SJPA), affiliated with NFPA
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- New Jersey State Bar Association – Committee on Paralegals
- New Jersey Department of State
- New Jersey Courts
Salary Disclaimer: 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Paralegals and Legal Assistants reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2025.
