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

Job-title file

Paralegal Specialist

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

166 employees hold this title in Department of Veterans Affairs. Median total compensation for the role is $85,932, below the department median of $88,751.

Employees: 166
Total payroll: $14.5M
Role median: $85,932
Agency median: $88,751
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$55,924$114,989+

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

How total compensation varies among the 166 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 Veterans Affairs pays a median base salary of $85,932 for this role, 37% above that figure — about the 79th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Veterans Affairs sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$44,740

$50,340

$62,890

$80,080

$101,500

Department of Veterans Affairs median · $85,932

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

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Veterans Affairs is $85,932, 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 Veterans Affairs, the median of $85,932 ranks #45 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

Sarah Dannen

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$82,226

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $82,226
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,226
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Sioux Falls
Work county: Minnehaha
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,226
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462450099
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sarah Dannen is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 2024 total compensation came to $82,226. They are classified at grade 11.

Gemma Barron

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$82,226

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $82,226
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,226
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Winston Salem
Work county: Forsyth
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,226
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 375120067
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gemma Barron holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Winston Salem, North Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $82,226. Their pay grade is 11.

Tijuana Griffin

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$82,226

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $82,226
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,226
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Little Rock
Work county: Pulaski
Work state: Arkansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,226
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 052320119
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tijuana Griffin is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Little Rock, Arkansas. 2024 total compensation came to $82,226. They are classified at grade 11.

Janet Barnes

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$82,226

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $82,226
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,226
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Muskogee
Work county: Muskogee
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,226
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 403310101
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Janet Barnes works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Janet earned $82,226 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Heather Greenwell-Butler

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$82,226

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $82,226
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,226
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Saint Petersburg
Work county: Pinellas
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,226
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122730103
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Heather Greenwell-Butler serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $82,226. They are classified at grade 11.

Joann Smith

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$82,226

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $82,226
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,226
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Roanoke
Work county: Roanoke
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $82,226
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512100770
Length of Service (Years): 30
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Joann Smith serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Roanoke, Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $82,226. They are classified at grade 11.

Alysia Phillips

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$81,745

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $81,745
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,745
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Leeds
Work county: Hampshire
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $81,745
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250581015
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alysia Phillips is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Leeds, Massachusetts. 2024 total compensation came to $81,745. They are classified at grade 11.

Sheaneather Hunt

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$81,728

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $81,728
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,728
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Saint Louis
Work county: Saint Louis
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $81,728
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 297080510
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sheaneather Hunt works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Sheaneather earned $81,728 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Danielle Kissinger

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$81,601

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $81,601
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $81,601
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Minneapolis
Work county: Hennepin
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $81,601
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 274760053
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Danielle Kissinger serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their 2024 pay totaled $81,601. They are classified at grade 11.

Kyle Beesley

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$80,921

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $80,921
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,921
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Milwaukee
Work county: Milwaukee
Work state: Wisconsin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,921
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 553100079
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kyle Beesley holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 2024, their total compensation was $80,921. Their pay grade is 11.

Wendy Wilson

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$80,921

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $80,921
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,921
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Milwaukee
Work county: Milwaukee
Work state: Wisconsin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,921
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 553100079
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Wendy Wilson works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wendy earned $80,921 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Susan Garcia

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$80,835

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $80,835
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,835
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,835
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Susan Garcia holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $80,835. Their pay grade is 11.

Christina Hansen

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$80,835

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $80,835
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,835
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,835
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christina Hansen is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Phoenix, Arizona. 2024 total compensation came to $80,835. They are classified at grade 11.

Olympia Thomas

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$80,828

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $80,828
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,828
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Akron
Work county: Summit
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,828
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 390070153
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Olympia Thomas is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Akron, Ohio. 2024 total compensation came to $80,828. They are classified at grade 11.

Raquel Schiro

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$80,815

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $80,815
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,815
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Buffalo
Work county: Erie
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,815
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 360750029
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Raquel Schiro holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Buffalo, New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $80,815. Their pay grade is 11.

Lisa Ross

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$80,815

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $80,815
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,815
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Buffalo
Work county: Erie
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,815
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 360750029
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lisa Ross works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Buffalo, New York. Lisa earned $80,815 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Crystal Boyd

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$80,755

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $80,755
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $80,755
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Fayetteville
Work county: Cumberland
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $80,755
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 371670051
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Crystal Boyd serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Their 2024 pay totaled $80,755. They are classified at grade 11.

Charlene Pullum

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$79,808

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $79,808
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,808
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Tampa
Work county: Hillsborough
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $79,808
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122950057
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charlene Pullum works as a Paralegal Specialist for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Tampa, Florida. Charlene earned $79,808 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Sonya Barganier

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$79,808

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $79,808
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,808
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Saint Petersburg
Work county: Pinellas
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $79,808
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122730103
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sonya Barganier holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Saint Petersburg, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $79,808. Their pay grade is 11.

Linda Fleck

Paralegal Specialist/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$79,808

Sub-department: General Counsel
Base pay: $79,808
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $79,808
Pay grade: 11
Work city: New Orleans
Work county: Orleans
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $79,808
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 221690071
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Linda Fleck is a Paralegal Specialist at Department of Veterans Affairs based in New Orleans, Louisiana. 2024 total compensation came to $79,808. They are classified at grade 11.