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

Job-title file

Paralegal Specialist

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

15 employees hold this title in Department of Education. Median total compensation for the role is $90,825, below the department median of $144,712.

Employees: 15
Total payroll: $1.4M
Role median: $90,825
Agency median: $144,712
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$73,690$136,231+

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

How total compensation varies among the 15 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 $90,825 for this role, 44% above that figure — about the 83rd 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 · $90,825

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 $90,825, 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 54 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Education, the median of $90,825 ranks #42 of 54.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Federal Housing Finance Agency

$176,909 · 1

Securities and Exchange Commission

$145,791 · 84

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

$143,249 · 12

Federal Reserve System

$141,092 · 20

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$130,932 · 29

Federal Communications Commission

$128,956 · 5

Department of Treasury

$125,827 · 5

Social Security Administration

$120,246 · 702

Fed Retirement Thrift Investment Board

$119,037 · 1

Export-Import Bank of the United States

$119,037 · 1

United States Agency for International Development

$117,962 · 3

Department of Health and Human Services

$115,981 · 65

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 $96,330 ranks #3 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

2024 total comp

$145,489

Sub-department: Federal Student Aid
Base pay: $145,489
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,489
Pay grade: 13
Work county: Stafford
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $145,489
Basic Pay (before locality): $109,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510000179
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Lawrence Mwethuku serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $145,489. They are classified at grade 13.

Jayci Sadio

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$112,425

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $112,425
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,425
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $112,425
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Jayci Sadio serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $112,425. They are classified at grade 12.

Oliver Longworth

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$103,256

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $102,506
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,256
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,506
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Oliver Longworth works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. Oliver earned $103,256 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Melissa Johnson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$101,514

Sub-department: Federal Student Aid
Base pay: $101,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,514
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Boston
Work county: Suffolk
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $101,514
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250120025
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Melissa Johnson works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Boston, Massachusetts. Melissa earned $101,514 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Amanda Bell

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$97,184

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $96,684
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,184
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Golden
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,684
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081000059
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amanda Bell is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Education based in Golden, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $97,184. They are classified at grade 12.

Delishia Brown

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$97,079

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $97,079
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,079
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,079
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Delishia Brown serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Chicago, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $97,079. They are classified at grade 12.

Angela Walker

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$95,710

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $94,960
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,710
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $94,960
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Angela Walker works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Atlanta, Georgia. Angela earned $95,710 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Deanna Meecha

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$90,825

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $90,825
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,825
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Cleveland
Work county: Cuyahoga
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,825
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 391680035
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Deanna Meecha holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Education based in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2024, their total compensation was $90,825. Their pay grade is 12.

Jerry Estrada-Herrera

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$90,810

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $90,310
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,810
Pay grade: 11
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,310
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jerry Estrada-Herrera holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Education based in San Francisco, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $90,810. Their pay grade is 11.

Maxwell Shea

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Office of the General Counsel
Base pay: $88,281
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,281
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,281
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Maxwell Shea works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Washington, District of Columbia. Maxwell earned $88,281 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Courtney Grubbs

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$87,201

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $86,701
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,201
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $86,701
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Courtney Grubbs works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Dallas, Texas. Courtney earned $87,201 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Jean Louis

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$85,236

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $85,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,236
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Hempstead
Work county: Nassau
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $85,236
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 362600059
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Jean Louis serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Hempstead, New York. Their 2024 pay totaled $85,236. They are classified at grade 11.

Ashanti Wallace

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$81,242

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $81,242
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,242
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $81,242
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Education, Ashanti Wallace serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Seattle, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $81,242. They are classified at grade 11.

Shannon Zipkin

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$80,639

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $79,839
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $800
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,639
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Clayton
Work county: Gloucester
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $79,839
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 340620015
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shannon Zipkin works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Clayton, New Jersey. Shannon earned $80,639 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Rabecca Marlin

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Education

2024 total comp

$73,690

Sub-department: Office for Civil Rights
Base pay: $73,690
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,690
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $73,690
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rabecca Marlin works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Education based in Kansas City, Missouri. Rabecca earned $73,690 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.