U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Health and Human Services / Paralegal Specialist

Job-title file

Paralegal Specialist

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

65 employees hold this title in Department of Health and Human Services. Median total compensation for the role is $115,981, below the department median of $129,759.

Employees: 65
Total payroll: $7.5M
Role median: $115,981
Agency median: $129,759
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$66,794$153,354+

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

How total compensation varies among the 65 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 Health and Human Services pays a median base salary of $115,731 for this role, 84% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Health and Human Services sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$44,740

$50,340

$62,890

$80,080

$101,500

Department of Health and Human Services median · $115,731

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 Health and Human Services’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Health and Human Services is $115,981, 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 Health and Human Services, the median of $115,981 ranks #12 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

U.S. Agency for International Development

$117,962 · 3

Smithsonian Institution

$115,731 · 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 $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 Specialistroles 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.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 2

Audrey Taylor

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$107,068

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $107,068
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,068
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,068
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Audrey Taylor holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Dallas, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $107,068. Their pay grade is 12.

Christopher Butler

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$107,068

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $107,068
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,068
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,068
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christopher Butler holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Dallas, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $107,068. Their pay grade is 12.

William Pennington

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$106,736

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $105,986
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,736
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Clay
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,986
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,327
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120047
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, William Pennington serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Kansas City, Missouri. Their 2024 pay totaled $106,736. They are classified at grade 12.

Charlene Robinson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$105,820

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $105,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,820
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Clinton
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,812
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240365033
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charlene Robinson is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Clinton, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $105,820. They are classified at grade 12.

Iris Evans

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $105,812
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,812
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,812
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Iris Evans is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $105,812. They are classified at grade 12.

Esteban Arjona

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$105,262

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $105,262
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,262
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Philadelphia
Work county: Philadelphia
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,262
Basic Pay (before locality): $81,884
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426540101
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Esteban Arjona holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $105,262. Their pay grade is 12.

Cara Sassenrath

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$103,919

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $103,919
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,919
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $103,919
Basic Pay (before locality): $81,884
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Cara Sassenrath works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Dallas, Texas. Cara earned $103,919 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Gail Humphries

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$103,129

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $103,129
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,129
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $103,129
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Gail Humphries serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Denver, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $103,129. They are classified at grade 12.

Soulichith Lunammachack

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$102,514

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $102,506
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,514
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Mclean
Work county: Fairfax
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,506
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,922
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 511520059
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Soulichith Lunammachack serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Mclean, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $102,514. They are classified at grade 12.

Carolyn Stewart

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$99,970

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $99,670
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,970
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,670
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 47
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Carolyn Stewart holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $99,970. Their pay grade is 11.

Kimberly Kierbow

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$99,670

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $99,670
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,670
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,670
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kimberly Kierbow is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. 2024 total compensation came to $99,670. They are classified at grade 11.

Vernecia Clark

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$99,670

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $99,670
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,670
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,670
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 37
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Vernecia Clark holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $99,670. Their pay grade is 11.

Shanna Winston

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$99,200

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $99,200
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,200
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,200
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,441
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shanna Winston is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $99,200. They are classified at grade 12.

Heather Hill

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$98,805

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $98,555
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,805
Pay grade: 12
Work county: Charleston
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,555
Basic Pay (before locality): $84,365
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 450000019
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Heather Hill is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in South Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $98,805. They are classified at grade 12.

Evie James

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$96,556

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $96,556
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,556
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,556
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,457
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Evie James holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $96,556. Their pay grade is 11.

Therese Smith

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$93,798

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $93,798
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,798
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,798
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Therese Smith serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $93,798. They are classified at grade 11.

George Birchette

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$88,926

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $88,926
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,926
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,926
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,731
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 43
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

George Birchette is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $88,926. They are classified at grade 09.

Crystal Green

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$88,926

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $88,926
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,926
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,926
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,731
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Crystal Green is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Woodlawn, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $88,926. They are classified at grade 09.

Jasmine Talford

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
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): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jasmine Talford is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $88,281. They are classified at grade 11.

Steven Shepherd

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$84,694

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $84,694
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,694
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Lowell
Work county: Middlesex
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $84,694
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250630017
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Steven Shepherd is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Lowell, Massachusetts. 2024 total compensation came to $84,694. They are classified at grade 11.

Stephanie White

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$84,337

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $84,337
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,337
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Atlanta
Work county: Fulton
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $84,337
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Stephanie White holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $84,337. Their pay grade is 11.

Orinthia Robinson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$82,764

Sub-department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Base pay: $82,764
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,764
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,764
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Orinthia Robinson serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $82,764. They are classified at grade 11.

Fan Wu

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$79,805

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $79,805
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,805
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Rockville
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $79,805
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241360031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Fan Wu works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Rockville, Maryland. Fan earned $79,805 in 2024. Their pay grade is 09.

Diaz Nazario

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$74,972

Sub-department: Office Secretary Health and Human Services
Base pay: $74,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,972
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Orange Park
Work county: Clay
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,972
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122350019
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Diaz Nazario is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Orange Park, Florida. 2024 total compensation came to $74,972. They are classified at grade 11.

Aaron Gartner

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$66,794

Sub-department: Food and Drug Administration
Base pay: $66,794
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,794
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Buffalo
Work county: Erie
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $66,794
Basic Pay (before locality): $54,754
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 360750029
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Aaron Gartner works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Buffalo, New York. Aaron earned $66,794 in 2024. Their pay grade is 09.