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 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.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 4

Jenna Vadinsky

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jenna Vadinsky works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Jenna earned $55,924 in 2024. Their pay grade is 07.

Shruthi Vasudevan

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shruthi Vasudevan is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $55,924. They are classified at grade 07.

Nina Yeung

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Nina Yeung serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $55,924. They are classified at grade 07.

Marisela Zubia

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Marisela Zubia works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Marisela earned $55,924 in 2024. Their pay grade is 07.

Tatum Blalock

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Tatum Blalock serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $55,924. They are classified at grade 07.

Amber Magnuson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Amber Magnuson serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $55,924. They are classified at grade 07.

Aram Matagi

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Aram Matagi serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $55,924. They are classified at grade 07.

Ainsley Dorsey

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ainsley Dorsey is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $55,924. They are classified at grade 07.

Sameer Ali

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sameer Ali holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $55,924. Their pay grade is 07.

Remington Smith

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Remington Smith is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $55,924. They are classified at grade 07.

Isabel Oalican

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$55,924

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $55,924
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,924
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,924
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Isabel Oalican is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $55,924. They are classified at grade 07.

Margaret Molinsky

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$54,728

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $54,728
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $54,728
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $54,728
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Margaret Molinsky is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Chicago, Illinois. 2024 total compensation came to $54,728. They are classified at grade 07.

Grace Chang

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$54,728

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $54,728
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $54,728
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $54,728
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Grace Chang serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Chicago, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $54,728. They are classified at grade 07.

Joshua Ezrol

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$54,728

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $54,728
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $54,728
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $54,728
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Joshua Ezrol is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Chicago, Illinois. 2024 total compensation came to $54,728. They are classified at grade 07.

Isabella Garcia

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$54,728

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $54,728
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $54,728
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $54,728
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Isabella Garcia works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Chicago, Illinois. Isabella earned $54,728 in 2024. Their pay grade is 07.

Sophia Hansen

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$54,728

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $54,728
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $54,728
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $54,728
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sophia Hansen is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Chicago, Illinois. 2024 total compensation came to $54,728. They are classified at grade 07.

Natalia Medina

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$54,728

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $54,728
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $54,728
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $54,728
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Natalia Medina serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Chicago, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $54,728. They are classified at grade 07.