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

Cori Gustafson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$92,073

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $92,073
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,073
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $92,073
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Cori Gustafson serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Seattle, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $92,073. They are classified at grade 11.

Jill Elliott

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,926

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $88,926
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,926
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): 38
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jill Elliott is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $91,926. They are classified at grade 09.

Robert Allison

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Louisville
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Kentucky

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 212090111
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Robert Allison serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Louisville, Kentucky. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,899. They are classified at grade 11.

Nichole Hunt

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Grand Rapids
Work county: Kent
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 262010081
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Nichole Hunt serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,899. They are classified at grade 11.

Adaline Patterson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: New Orleans
Work county: Orleans
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 221690071
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Adaline Patterson is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in New Orleans, Louisiana. 2024 total compensation came to $91,899. They are classified at grade 11.

Lori Luce

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Orlando
Work county: Orange
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122360095
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lori Luce works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Orlando, Florida. Lori earned $91,899 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Kenneth Harris

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Boise
Work county: Ada
Work state: Idaho

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 160160001
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Kenneth Harris serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Boise, Idaho. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,899. They are classified at grade 11.

Connie Caldwell

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Charleston
Work county: Kanawha
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 540480039
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Connie Caldwell works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Charleston, West Virginia. Connie earned $91,899 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Kathleen Allin

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: South Bend
Work county: Saint Joseph
Work state: Indiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 184580141
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Kathleen Allin serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in South Bend, Indiana. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,899. They are classified at grade 11.

Tisha Doll

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chattanooga
Work county: Hamilton
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 470400065
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tisha Doll holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2024, their total compensation was $91,899. Their pay grade is 11.

Sherry Doran

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Utica
Work county: Oneida
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 366220065
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sherry Doran holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Utica, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $91,899. Their pay grade is 11.

Karen Kidd

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Roanoke
Work county: Roanoke
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512100770
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Karen Kidd serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Roanoke, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,899. They are classified at grade 11.

Kerri Rauser

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Grand Rapids
Work county: Kent
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 262010081
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kerri Rauser holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2024, their total compensation was $91,899. Their pay grade is 11.

Christine Miller

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Madison
Work county: Dane
Work state: Wisconsin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 552780025
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christine Miller holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2024, their total compensation was $91,899. Their pay grade is 11.

Enelida Rodriguez

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: San Juan
Work state: No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: RQ0930000
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Enelida Rodriguez works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in San Juan, No Data Reported. Enelida earned $91,899 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Lizette Montanez

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,899

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $91,899
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,899
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Tampa
Work county: Hillsborough
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,899
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122950057
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lizette Montanez works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Tampa, Florida. Lizette earned $91,899 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Ivuka Onwukwe

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$91,881

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $88,281
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,881
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

Ivuka Onwukwe is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $91,881. They are classified at grade 11.