U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Education / Paralegal Specialist

Job-title file

Paralegal Specialist at Department of Education, U.S. Federal Government

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

17 employees hold this title in Department of Education. Median total compensation for the role is $107,064, below the department median of $150,203.

Employees: 17
Total payroll: $1.8M
Role median: $107,064
Agency median: $150,203
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$69,213$142,096+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 17 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Paralegal Specialist pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants — about 392,880 people — is $62,890. Department of Education pays a median base salary of $107,064 for this role, 70% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Education sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$44,740

$50,340

$62,890

$80,080

$101,500

Department of Education median · $107,064

The bar is the range of annual wages for Paralegals and Legal Assistants across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Education’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Education is $107,064, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Paralegal Specialist is held in 57 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Education, the median of $107,064 ranks #32 of 57.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Federal Housing Finance Agency

$178,408 · 1

Securities and Exchange Commission

$159,982 · 87

Federal Reserve System

$154,796 · 37

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

$150,304 · 12

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$137,544 · 27

Department of Treasury

$133,235 · 6

Federal Communications Commission

$126,314 · 4

Department of Health and Human Services

$125,845 · 70

Social Security Administration

$125,321 · 746

Export-Import Bank of the United States

$123,999 · 2

United States Agency for International Development

$123,028 · 2

Fed Retirement Thrift Investment Board

$122,899 · 1

Median total compensation for the Paralegal Specialist role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Paralegal Specialist beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 4 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $101,918 ranks #2 of 4. See Paralegal Specialist across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

Connecticut

$148,330 · 8

District of Columbia

$98,412 · 99

Florida

$44,437 · 405

Median total compensation for comparable Paralegal Specialist roles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Same department

Other job titles in Department of Education

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Lawrence Mwethuku

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2025 total comp

$152,736

Sub-department: Federal Student Aid
Base pay: $152,736
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $152,736
Pay grade: 13
Work state: Virginia
Middle name: P.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $152,736
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEN
Basic Pay (before locality): $114,033
Duty Station Code: 510000179
Duty Station State: VA
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Department of Education, Lawrence Mwethuku serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Virginia. Their 2025 pay totaled $152,736. They are classified at grade 13.

Jayci Sadio

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$119,485

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $119,485
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,485
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Agatha

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $119,485
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,208
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Department of Education, Jayci Sadio serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $119,485. They are classified at grade 12.

Ashanti Wallace

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$119,356

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $119,356
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,356
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Santa Clara
Work state: California
Middle name: Brooklynne

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $119,356
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $81,561
Duty Station Code: 063440085
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Department of Education, Ashanti Wallace serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Santa Clara, California. Their 2026 pay totaled $119,356. They are classified at grade 12.

Jerry Estradaherrera

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$115,626

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $115,626
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,626
Pay grade: 12
Work city: San Francisco
Work state: California
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $115,626
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,012
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Jerry Estradaherrera holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Education based in San Francisco, California. In 2026, their total compensation was $115,626. Their pay grade is 12.

Jerry Estrada-Herrera

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2025 total comp

$110,788

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $110,788
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,788
Pay grade: 12
Work city: San Francisco
Work state: California
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,788
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $75,706
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Duty Station State: CA
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Jerry Estrada-Herrera holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Education based in San Francisco, California. In 2025, their total compensation was $110,788. Their pay grade is 12.

Delishia Brown

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$110,066

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $110,066
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,066
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Chicago
Work state: Illinois
Middle name: Monshae

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,066
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,110
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Duty Station State: IL
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Department of Education, Delishia Brown serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Chicago, Illinois. Their 2026 pay totaled $110,066. They are classified at grade 12.

Amanda Bell

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$109,780

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $109,780
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,780
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Denver
Work state: Colorado
Middle name: Lynn

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $109,780
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,110
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Duty Station State: CO
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Amanda Bell is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Education based in Denver, Colorado. 2026 total compensation came to $109,780. They are classified at grade 12.

Laica Louis Jean

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$108,997

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $108,997
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,997
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Hempstead
Work state: New York
Middle name: Ricky

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $108,997
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,012
Duty Station Code: 362600059
Duty Station State: NY
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Laica Louis Jean is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Education based in Hempstead, New York. 2026 total compensation came to $108,997. They are classified at grade 12.

Melissa Johnson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2025 total comp

$107,064

Sub-department: Federal Student Aid
Base pay: $107,064
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,064
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Boston
Work state: Massachusetts
Middle name: Jean

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,064
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEN
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,754
Duty Station Code: 250120025
Duty Station State: MA
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Melissa Johnson works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Boston, Massachusetts. Melissa earned $107,064 in 2025. Their pay grade is 12.

Oliver Longworth

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$106,562

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $105,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,562
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Christian

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,812
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEG
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Oliver Longworth works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. Oliver earned $106,562 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Angela Walker

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$104,120

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $104,120
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,120
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Atlanta
Work state: Georgia
Middle name: Renee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,120
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,110
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Duty Station State: GA
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Angela Walker works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Atlanta, Georgia. Angela earned $104,120 in 2026. Their pay grade is 12.

Shannon Zipkin

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2025 total comp

$100,909

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $100,909
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $100,909
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Clayton
Work state: New Jersey
Middle name: Andrea

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $100,909
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,230
Duty Station Code: 340620015
Duty Station State: NJ
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Shannon Zipkin works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Clayton, New Jersey. Shannon earned $100,909 in 2025. Their pay grade is 12.

Deanna Meecha

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$99,692

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $99,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,692
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Cleveland
Work state: Ohio
Middle name: Kathleen

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,692
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $81,561
Duty Station Code: 391680035
Duty Station State: OH
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Deanna Meecha holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Education based in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2026, their total compensation was $99,692. Their pay grade is 12.

Courtney Grubbs

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$94,973

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $94,473
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,973
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Dallas
Work state: Texas
Middle name: Roberts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $94,473
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Duty Station State: TX
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Courtney Grubbs works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Dallas, Texas. Courtney earned $94,973 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Maxwell Shea

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$94,744

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $93,994
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,744
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,994
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEG
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Maxwell Shea works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. Maxwell earned $94,744 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Rabecca Marlin

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2026 total comp

$94,001

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $94,001
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,001
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Kansas City
Work state: Missouri
Middle name: Loueva

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $94,001
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,012
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Duty Station State: MO
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Rabecca Marlin works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Kansas City, Missouri. Rabecca earned $94,001 in 2026. Their pay grade is 12.

Tammy Coffman

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2025 total comp

$69,213

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $69,213
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $69,213
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Boston
Work state: Massachusetts
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $69,213
Agency Code (OPM): ED
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): EDEC
Basic Pay (before locality): $52,205
Duty Station Code: 250120025
Duty Station State: MA
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Tammy Coffman works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Boston, Massachusetts. Tammy earned $69,213 in 2025. Their pay grade is 09.