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

Edmelinda Garcia

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$112,425

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Edmelinda Garcia is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $112,425. They are classified at grade 12.

Heather Henderson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$112,425

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Heather Henderson holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,425. Their pay grade is 12.

Martese Johnson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$112,425

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Martese Johnson holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,425. Their pay grade is 12.

Kimberly Lawrence

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$112,425

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kimberly Lawrence works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Kimberly earned $112,425 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Ashley Patterson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$112,425

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ashley Patterson holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $112,425. Their pay grade is 12.

Divya Ramjee

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$112,425

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Divya Ramjee works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Divya earned $112,425 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Kimberly Better

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$111,190

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $107,590
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,190
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,590
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 38
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kimberly Better works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Kimberly earned $111,190 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Lynn Brown

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$111,190

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $107,590
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,190
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,590
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 46
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lynn Brown holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $111,190. Their pay grade is 11.

Kimmi Fontaine

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$110,803

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $110,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,803
Pay grade: 11
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Kimmi Fontaine serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in New York - New York, New York. Their 2024 pay totaled $110,803. They are classified at grade 11.

Angel Dios

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$110,803

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $110,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,803
Pay grade: 11
Work city: New York - Kings
Work county: Kings
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170047
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Angel Dios serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in New York - Kings, New York. Their 2024 pay totaled $110,803. They are classified at grade 11.

Nagy Aly

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$110,803

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $110,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,803
Pay grade: 11
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nagy Aly holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in New York - New York, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $110,803. Their pay grade is 11.

Michael Green

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$110,803

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $110,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,803
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Fort Wadsworth
Work county: Richmond
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 362119085
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michael Green holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Fort Wadsworth, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $110,803. Their pay grade is 11.

Frank Parker

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$110,803

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $110,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,803
Pay grade: 11
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Frank Parker works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in New York - New York, New York. Frank earned $110,803 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Frank Marino

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$110,803

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $110,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,803
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Frank Marino works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Invalid, Invalid. Frank earned $110,803 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Joann Lomangino

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$110,803

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $110,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,803
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Central Islip
Work county: Suffolk
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 361050103
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joann Lomangino is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Central Islip, New York. 2024 total compensation came to $110,803. They are classified at grade 11.

Sharon Warner

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$110,803

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $110,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $110,803
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Invalid
Work county: Invalid
Work state: Invalid

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $110,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,737
Country: Invalid
Duty Station Code: *
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sharon Warner is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Invalid, Invalid. 2024 total compensation came to $110,803. They are classified at grade 11.