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

Job-title file

Paralegal Specialist

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

15 employees hold this title in Department of Transportation. Median total compensation for the role is $109,975, below the department median of $141,836.

Employees: 15
Total payroll: $1.6M
Role median: $109,975
Agency median: $141,836
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$84,601$140,084+

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

How total compensation varies among the 15 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 Transportation pays a median base salary of $109,975 for this role, 75% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Transportation sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$44,740

$50,340

$62,890

$80,080

$101,500

Department of Transportation median · $109,975

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

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Transportation is $109,975, 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 57 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Transportation, the median of $109,975 ranks #27 of 57.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Federal Housing Finance Agency

$178,408 · 1

Securities and Exchange Commission

$159,982 · 87

Federal Reserve System

$154,796 · 37

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

$150,304 · 12

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

$137,544 · 27

Department of Treasury

$133,235 · 6

Federal Communications Commission

$126,314 · 4

Department of Health and Human Services

$125,845 · 70

Social Security Administration

$125,321 · 746

Export-Import Bank of the United States

$123,999 · 2

United States Agency for International Development

$123,028 · 2

Fed Retirement Thrift Investment Board

$122,899 · 1

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 $101,918 ranks #2 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.

Same department

Other job titles in Department of Transportation

Accounting 267
Administration and Office Support Student Trainee 172
Administrative Officer 502
Aerospace Engineering 1,067
Air Traffic Assistance 222
Air Traffic Control 21,693
Aircraft Operation 121
Auditing 97
Aviation Safety 4,888
Budget Analysis 98
Civil Engineering 1,521
Community Planning 410
Computer Engineering 84
Computer Science 305
Contracting 570
Data Science Series 74
Economist 163
Electrical Engineering 215
Electronics Engineering 734
Electronics Technical 331
Engineering Technical 728
Environmental Protection Specialist 457
Equal Employment Opportunity 80
Equal Opportunity Compliance 103
Financial Administration and Program 605
Foreign Affairs 87
General Attorney 686
General Business and Industry 108
General Engineering 2,009
Government Information Specialist 83
Grants Management 116
Highway Safety 287
Human Resources Management 698
Information Technology Management 1,982
Instructional Systems 70
Legal Instruments Examining 144
Logistics Management 252
Maintenance Mechanic 97
Management and Program Analysis 3,701
Management and Program Clerical and Assistance 865
Mechanical Engineering 330
Medical Officer 91
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 2,283
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 429
Motor Carrier Safety 593
Navigational Information 483
Operations Research 231
Program Management 1,664
Psychology 133
Railroad Safety 550
Realty 116
Safety and Occupational Health Management 120
Security Administration 138
Technical Systems Program Manager 1,013
Technical Writing and Editing 66
Telecommunications 77
Transportation Industry Analysis 202
Transportation Specialist 7,812
Transportation Student Trainee 105
Writing and Editing 57

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Corrine Lill

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2025 total comp

$144,919

Sub-department: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Base pay: $144,919
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,919
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Wheat Ridge
Work state: Colorado
Middle name: Anne

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $144,919
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD17
Basic Pay (before locality): $111,032
Duty Station Code: 082555059
Duty Station State: CO
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Department of Transportation, Corrine Lill serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Their 2025 pay totaled $144,919. They are classified at grade 13.

Stacy Gibson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$127,650

Sub-department: Federal Highway Administration
Base pay: $125,650
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,650
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: Y

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,650
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD04
Basic Pay (before locality): $94,289
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Department of Transportation, Stacy Gibson serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $127,650. They are classified at grade 12.

Brenda Butcher

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2025 total comp

$124,389

Sub-department: Federal Highway Administration
Base pay: $122,189
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,389
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Matteson
Work state: Illinois
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $122,189
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD04
Basic Pay (before locality): $93,374
Duty Station Code: 175380031
Duty Station State: IL
Length of Service (Years): 36
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Brenda Butcher is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Transportation based in Matteson, Illinois. 2025 total compensation came to $124,389. They are classified at grade 12.

Eloisa Dantas Bryant

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2026 total comp

$122,785

Sub-department: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Base pay: $121,785
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $122,785
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $121,785
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD10
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,925
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Department of Transportation, Eloisa Dantas Bryant serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2026 pay totaled $122,785. They are classified at grade 13.

Coreen Russell

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2024 total comp

$119,037

Sub-department: Federal Railroad Administration
Base pay: $119,037
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,037
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Anne

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $119,037
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD05
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,327
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Coreen Russell works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Coreen earned $119,037 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

Sharon Hacklander

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2026 total comp

$116,071

Sub-department: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Base pay: $116,071
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $116,071
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $116,071
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD17
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,659
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Sharon Hacklander holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $116,071. Their pay grade is 12.

Karla Hammonds

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2026 total comp

$111,087

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $111,087
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $111,087
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $111,087
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD01
Basic Pay (before locality): $82,938
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Karla Hammonds holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $111,087. Their pay grade is 11.

Yvette Mcbride

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2025 total comp

$109,975

Sub-department: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Base pay: $109,975
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $109,975
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $109,975
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD10
Basic Pay (before locality): $82,108
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 47
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

At Department of Transportation, Yvette Mcbride serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2025 pay totaled $109,975. They are classified at grade 11.

Maresa Goggins

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2026 total comp

$102,540

Sub-department: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Base pay: $102,540
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,540
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: M.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,540
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD17
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,557
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Maresa Goggins holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Transportation based in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2026, their total compensation was $102,540. Their pay grade is 11.

Crystal Hunter

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2026 total comp

$94,616

Sub-department: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Base pay: $94,616
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,616
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Matteson
Work state: Illinois
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $94,616
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD17
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,303
Duty Station Code: 175380031
Duty Station State: IL
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Crystal Hunter holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Transportation based in Matteson, Illinois. In 2026, their total compensation was $94,616. Their pay grade is 11.

Christian Middelton

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2026 total comp

$93,994

Sub-department: Maritime Administration
Base pay: $93,994
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,994
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,994
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD13
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Christian Middelton works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. Christian earned $93,994 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Darlene Wallace

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2026 total comp

$91,815

Sub-department: Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Base pay: $91,815
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,815
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,815
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD01
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,549
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 43
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Darlene Wallace holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2026, their total compensation was $91,815. Their pay grade is 09.

Lashanda Maggit

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2026 total comp

$89,504

Sub-department: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Base pay: $89,504
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,504
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Atlanta
Work state: Georgia
Middle name: M.

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,504
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD17
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,303
Duty Station Code: 130280121
Duty Station State: GA
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Lashanda Maggit is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Transportation based in Atlanta, Georgia. 2026 total compensation came to $89,504. They are classified at grade 11.

Tenika Garcia

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2025 total comp

$85,188

Sub-department: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Base pay: $85,188
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,188
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Aurora
Work state: Colorado
Middle name: Misty

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $85,188
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD17
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,268
Duty Station Code: 080110005
Duty Station State: CO
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Tenika Garcia is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Transportation based in Aurora, Colorado. 2025 total compensation came to $85,188. They are classified at grade 11.

Jayla Jones

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Transportation

2025 total comp

$84,601

Sub-department: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Base pay: $84,601
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $84,601
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work state: District of Columbia
Middle name: Louise

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $84,601
Agency Code (OPM): TD
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): TD16
Basic Pay (before locality): $63,163
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Duty Station State: DC
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950

Jayla Jones holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Transportation based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2025, their total compensation was $84,601. Their pay grade is 11.