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U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of State / Paralegal Specialist

Job-title file

Paralegal Specialist

Provide legal advice, draft and review documents, and represent the agency in legal matters.

27 employees hold this title in Department of State. Median total compensation for the role is $112,425, below the department median of $133,692.

Employees
27
Total payroll
$3.1M
Role median
$112,425
Agency median
$133,692
Comparison
Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$84,366$135,422+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 27 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 Assistantsabout 392,880 people is $62,890. Department of State pays a median base salary of $112,425 for this role, 79% above that figureabove the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of State sits in the local pay range

10th
25th
Median
75th
90th
$44,740
$50,340
$62,890
$80,080
$101,500
Department of State median · $112,425

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 State’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of State is $112,425, 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 State, the median of $112,425 ranks #16 of 54.

Highest-paying departments for this role

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
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.

Same department

Other job titles in Department of State

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

John Calopietro

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$141,557
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$141,557
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$141,557
Pay grade
13
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$141,557
Basic Pay (before locality)
$106,226
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
10
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

John Calopietro holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $141,557. Their pay grade is 13.

Abby Lounsberry

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$129,759
Sub-department
Department of State
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)
4
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

At Department of State, Abby Lounsberry serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $129,759. They are classified at grade 13.

Kenneth Mansfield

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$128,956
Sub-department
Department of State
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

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

Katherine Murphy

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$128,956
Sub-department
Department of State
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)
26
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

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

Patricia Smeltzer

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$128,956
Sub-department
Department of State
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)
19
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

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

Amy Stoller

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$125,827
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$125,827
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$125,827
Pay grade
13
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$125,827
Basic Pay (before locality)
$94,422
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
8
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Amy Stoller works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. Amy earned $125,827 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Mariama Yilla

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$125,650
Sub-department
Department of State
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)
22
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

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

Anjail Al-Uqdah

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$122,343
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$122,343
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$122,343
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$122,343
Basic Pay (before locality)
$91,808
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
19
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Anjail Al-Uqdah is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $122,343. They are classified at grade 12.

Michael Mcpherson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$122,343
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$122,343
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$122,343
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$122,343
Basic Pay (before locality)
$91,808
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
23
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Michael Mcpherson is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $122,343. They are classified at grade 12.

Shand Hosnjak

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$121,894
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$121,894
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$121,894
Pay grade
13
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$121,894
Basic Pay (before locality)
$91,471
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
9
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Shand Hosnjak holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $121,894. Their pay grade is 13.

Phyllis Black

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$119,037
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$119,037
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$119,037
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$119,037
Basic Pay (before locality)
$89,327
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
36
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Phyllis Black is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $119,037. They are classified at grade 12.

Sebryna Coffey

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$115,731
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$115,731
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$115,731
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$115,731
Basic Pay (before locality)
$86,846
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
8
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

At Department of State, Sebryna Coffey serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $115,731. They are classified at grade 12.

Krista Stormberg

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$115,731
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$115,731
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$115,731
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$115,731
Basic Pay (before locality)
$86,846
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
15
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

At Department of State, Krista Stormberg serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $115,731. They are classified at grade 12.

Michael Howard

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$112,425
Sub-department
Department of State
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)
0
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

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

Gerard Riddick

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$112,425
Sub-department
Department of State
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)
18
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

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

Brian Wielk

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$112,425
Sub-department
Department of State
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

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

Maria Gabellieri

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$109,119
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$109,119
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$109,119
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$109,119
Basic Pay (before locality)
$81,884
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
7
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

At Department of State, Maria Gabellieri serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $109,119. They are classified at grade 12.

Moustapha Goumballa

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$109,119
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$109,119
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$109,119
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$109,119
Basic Pay (before locality)
$81,884
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
5
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Moustapha Goumballa holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $109,119. Their pay grade is 12.

Timothy Stackhouse

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$109,119
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$109,119
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$109,119
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$109,119
Basic Pay (before locality)
$81,884
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
7
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

At Department of State, Timothy Stackhouse serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $109,119. They are classified at grade 12.

Adam Gould

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$105,812
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$105,812
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$105,812
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$105,812
Basic Pay (before locality)
$79,403
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
15
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Adam Gould is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $105,812. They are classified at grade 12.

Camille Vestres

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$105,812
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$105,812
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$105,812
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$105,812
Basic Pay (before locality)
$79,403
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
12
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Camille Vestres is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $105,812. They are classified at grade 12.

Amanda Vining

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$100,038
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$100,038
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$100,038
Pay grade
12
Work city
Brussels
Work state
No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$100,038
Basic Pay (before locality)
$81,884
Country
Belgium
Duty Station Code
BE2000000
Length of Service (Years)
10
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Amanda Vining is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Brussels, No Data Reported. 2024 total compensation came to $100,038. They are classified at grade 12.

Anca Muir

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$100,038
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$100,038
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$100,038
Pay grade
12
Work city
Vancouver, Bc
Work state
No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$100,038
Basic Pay (before locality)
$81,884
Country
Canada
Duty Station Code
CA7700000
Length of Service (Years)
5
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

At Department of State, Anca Muir serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Vancouver, Bc, No Data Reported. Their 2024 pay totaled $100,038. They are classified at grade 12.

Lisa Szustak

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$99,200
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$99,200
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$99,200
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$99,200
Basic Pay (before locality)
$74,441
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
2
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Lisa Szustak works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. Lisa earned $99,200 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Reed Liriano

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$99,200
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$99,200
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$99,200
Pay grade
12
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$99,200
Basic Pay (before locality)
$74,441
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
4
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Reed Liriano holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $99,200. Their pay grade is 12.

John Anzilotti

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$93,798
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$93,798
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$93,798
Pay grade
11
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$93,798
Basic Pay (before locality)
$70,387
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
6
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

John Anzilotti is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $93,798. They are classified at grade 11.

Yan Hill

Paralegal Specialist/Department of State

2024 total comp
$84,366
Sub-department
Department of State
Base pay
$84,366
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$84,366
Pay grade
09
Work city
Washington
Work county
District of Columbia
Work state
District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality)
$84,366
Basic Pay (before locality)
$63,309
Country
United States
Duty Station Code
110010001
Length of Service (Years)
2
Occupation Code (OPM)
0950
Pay Plan (OPM)
GS

Yan Hill is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of State based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $84,366. They are classified at grade 09.