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 2

Adela Alfaro

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,809

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $88,077
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $732
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,809
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Newark
Work county: Essex
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,077
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 342130013
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Adela Alfaro holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Newark, New Jersey. In 2024, their total compensation was $88,809. Their pay grade is 11.

Jamie Collins

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,730

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $88,730
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,730
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,730
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jamie Collins works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Denver, Colorado. Jamie earned $88,730 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Meghan Jones

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,730

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $88,730
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,730
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,730
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Meghan Jones holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Denver, Colorado. In 2024, their total compensation was $88,730. Their pay grade is 11.

Mathieu Ackaouy

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,494

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $80,994
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,494
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,994
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mathieu Ackaouy is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Chicago, Illinois. 2024 total compensation came to $88,494. They are classified at grade 11.

Murie Sheafer

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,426

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $88,426
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,426
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,426
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,527
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Murie Sheafer serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Kansas City, Missouri. Their 2024 pay totaled $88,426. They are classified at grade 11.

Tavia Shreefer

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,426

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $88,426
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,426
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Kansas City
Work county: Jackson
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,426
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,527
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 294120095
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tavia Shreefer is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Kansas City, Missouri. 2024 total compensation came to $88,426. They are classified at grade 11.

Edna Craig

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,412

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $88,412
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,412
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,412
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,457
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Edna Craig holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $88,412. Their pay grade is 11.

Miranda Cruz

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Miranda Cruz holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $88,281. Their pay grade is 11.

Matthew Smith

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Matthew Smith holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $88,281. Their pay grade is 11.

Bryana Bowman

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Bryana Bowman holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $88,281. Their pay grade is 11.

Samantha Goins

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

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

Valerie Grimm

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Valerie Grimm is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $88,281. They are classified at grade 11.

Chloe Harris

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

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

Shannon Hurt

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

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

Shannon Hurt holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $88,281. Their pay grade is 11.

Khadijah Josephs

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

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

Tyaka Mallory

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

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

Tyaka Mallory is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $88,281. They are classified at grade 11.

Lindsey O'Connor

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Lindsey O'Connor serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $88,281. They are classified at grade 11.

Rashante Richardson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

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

At Department of Justice, Rashante Richardson serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $88,281. They are classified at grade 11.

Christina Schruefer

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $88,281
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,281
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,281
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christina Schruefer is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Baltimore, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $88,281. They are classified at grade 11.

Dashmeet Tiwana

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Executive Office for Immigration Review
Base pay: $88,281
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,281
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Harpers Ferry
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,281
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 541140037
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Dashmeet Tiwana serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $88,281. They are classified at grade 11.

Meghreeg Apkarian

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$88,281

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
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): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Meghreeg Apkarian serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $88,281. They are classified at grade 11.