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

Cheryl Page

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 44
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Cheryl Page serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Matthews Anderson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$153,354

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $153,354
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,354
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $153,354
Basic Pay (before locality): $115,079
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Matthews Anderson serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $153,354. They are classified at grade 13.

Jan Joaquin

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$137,106

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $137,106
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,106
Pay grade: 12
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $137,106
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,289
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jan Joaquin holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in San Francisco, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $137,106. Their pay grade is 12.

Tina Oppelt

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$132,807

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $132,807
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $132,807
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Newark
Work county: Essex
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $132,807
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 342130013
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tina Oppelt holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Newark, New Jersey. In 2024, their total compensation was $132,807. Their pay grade is 12.

Kaitlin Gonzalez

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$129,759

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $129,759
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,759
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $129,759
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kaitlin Gonzalez is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Robert Turner

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$129,688

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $732
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,688
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Robert Turner works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Robert earned $129,688 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Mark Fuller

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$129,102

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $146
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $129,102
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 36
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mark Fuller is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $129,102. They are classified at grade 12.

Marshall Foushee-Mcadoo

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 42
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Marshall Foushee-Mcadoo holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $128,956. Their pay grade is 12.

Shannon May

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Shannon May serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $128,956. They are classified at grade 12.

Angela Green

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 39
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Angela Green holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $128,956. Their pay grade is 12.

Sandra Park

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Sandra Park serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $128,956. They are classified at grade 12.

Lisa Aiken

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lisa Aiken works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Lisa earned $128,956 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Kimberly Knight

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kimberly Knight works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Kimberly earned $128,956 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Terrance Quinn

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Terrance Quinn serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $128,956. They are classified at grade 12.

Karen Riggleman

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Karen Riggleman works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Karen earned $128,956 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Gwendolyn Watkins

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gwendolyn Watkins works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. Gwendolyn earned $128,956 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Cassi Wiseman

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Cassi Wiseman holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $128,956. Their pay grade is 12.

Tracey Wood

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Tracey Wood serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $128,956. They are classified at grade 12.

Ramona Claiborne

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,956

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $128,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,956
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,956
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ramona Claiborne is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $128,956. They are classified at grade 12.

Patti Brundige

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$128,082

Sub-department: U.S. Trustee Program
Base pay: $128,082
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $128,082
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Los Angeles
Work county: Los Angeles
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $128,082
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,289
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061980037
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Patti Brundige holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Los Angeles, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $128,082. Their pay grade is 12.

Monica Hinds

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$127,493

Sub-department: U.S. Marshals Service
Base pay: $127,493
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,493
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Paulding
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $127,493
Basic Pay (before locality): $103,275
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 131500223
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Monica Hinds holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Dallas, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $127,493. Their pay grade is 13.

Kiviette Gray

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$125,650

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $125,650
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,650
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,650
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,289
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kiviette Gray holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,650. Their pay grade is 12.

Pamela Johnson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$125,650

Sub-department: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Base pay: $125,650
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,650
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,650
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,289
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Pamela Johnson is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $125,650. They are classified at grade 12.

Enoch Thomas

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$125,650

Sub-department: Executive Office Us Attorney and Off Us Attorney
Base pay: $125,650
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,650
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,650
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,289
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Enoch Thomas holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Justice based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,650. Their pay grade is 12.

Jennifer Salemi

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Justice

2024 total comp

$125,650

Sub-department: Office of the Inspector General
Base pay: $125,650
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,650
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Arnold
Work county: Anne Arundel
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,650
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,289
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240032003
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Justice, Jennifer Salemi serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Arnold, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $125,650. They are classified at grade 12.