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

Job-title file

Paralegal Specialist

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

806 employees hold this title in Department of Justice. Median total compensation for the role is $85,522, below the department median of $153,354.

Employees: 806
Total payroll: $68.3M
Role median: $85,522
Agency median: $153,354
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$54,728$128,956+

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

How total compensation varies among the 806 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 Justice pays a median base salary of $85,379 for this role, 36% above that figure — about the 79th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Justice sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$44,740

$50,340

$62,890

$80,080

$101,500

Department of Justice median · $85,379

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 Justice’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Justice is $85,522, 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 Justice, the median of $85,522 ranks #46 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

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 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 1

Jeanette Korab

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Office of Justice Programs
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): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jeanette Korab holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $105,812. Their pay grade is 12.

Rebecca Kamas

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rebecca Kamas works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Rebecca earned $105,812 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Petra Deutsch

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Petra Deutsch serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $105,812. They are classified at grade 12.

Alexus Garrett

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alexus Garrett works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Alexus earned $105,812 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Alice Hung

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alice Hung works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Alice earned $105,812 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Anna Rogers

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Anna Rogers serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $105,812. They are classified at grade 12.

Geoffrey Stewart

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Geoffrey Stewart is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $105,812. They are classified at grade 12.

Ashley Taylor

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$105,812

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ashley Taylor holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $105,812. Their pay grade is 12.

Venita Parker

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$105,154

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $104,788
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $366
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,154
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Boston
Work county: Suffolk
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,788
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250120025
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Venita Parker holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2024, their total compensation was $105,154. Their pay grade is 12.

Jolene Kopatich

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,861

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $104,861
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,861
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,861
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jolene Kopatich works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Denver, Colorado. Jolene earned $104,861 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Sandra Anderson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,832

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $104,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,832
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,832
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sandra Anderson is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $104,832. They are classified at grade 11.

Sey Ankoma

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,832

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $104,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,832
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,832
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sey Ankoma is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $104,832. They are classified at grade 11.

Jacqueline Arendse

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,832

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $104,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,832
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,832
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jacqueline Arendse holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $104,832. Their pay grade is 11.

Aliese Brown

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,832

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $104,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,832
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,832
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Aliese Brown holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $104,832. Their pay grade is 11.

Cassandra Phillips

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,832

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $104,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,832
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,832
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 43
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Cassandra Phillips works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Cassandra earned $104,832 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Laroi Scrivner

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,832

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $104,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,832
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,832
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Laroi Scrivner works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Laroi earned $104,832 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Matthew Woolner

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,832

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $104,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,832
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,832
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Matthew Woolner works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Matthew earned $104,832 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Amy Busch

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,832

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $104,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,832
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,832
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amy Busch is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Baltimore, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $104,832. They are classified at grade 11.

Jennifer Balourdos

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,832

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $104,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,832
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Greenbelt
Work county: Prince George's
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,832
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240710033
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Jennifer Balourdos serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Greenbelt, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $104,832. They are classified at grade 11.

Laurie Brugger

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,280

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $104,280
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,280
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Sacramento
Work county: Sacramento
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,280
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063150067
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Laurie Brugger works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Sacramento, California. Laurie earned $104,280 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Deana Jones

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,005

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $104,005
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,005
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Detroit
Work county: Wayne
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,005
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 261260163
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Deana Jones works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Detroit, Michigan. Deana earned $104,005 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Sherrie Schlosser

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$104,005

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $104,005
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,005
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Detroit
Work county: Wayne
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,005
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 261260163
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Sherrie Schlosser serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Detroit, Michigan. Their 2024 pay totaled $104,005. They are classified at grade 11.

Maria Borgesi

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$103,787

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $103,787
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,787
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Philadelphia
Work county: Philadelphia
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $103,787
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426540101
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Maria Borgesi serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their 2024 pay totaled $103,787. They are classified at grade 11.

Roman Motley

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$103,549

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $103,549
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $103,549
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $103,549
Basic Pay (before locality): $79,403
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Roman Motley serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Chicago, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $103,549. They are classified at grade 12.