U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Social Security Administration / Paralegal Specialist

Job-title file

Paralegal Specialist

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

702 employees hold this title in Social Security Administration. Median total compensation for the role is $120,246, above the department median of $92,904.

Employees: 702
Total payroll: $85.8M
Role median: $120,246
Agency median: $92,904
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$65,962$181,181+

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

How total compensation varies among the 702 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. Social Security Administration pays a median base salary of $120,246 for this role, 91% above that figure — above the 90th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Social Security Administration sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$44,740

$50,340

$62,890

$80,080

$101,500

Social Security Administration median · $120,246

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 Social Security Administration’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 701 of 702 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Social Security Administration is $120,246, 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 Social Security Administration, the median of $120,246 ranks #8 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

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

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

$115,731 · 5

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

Tracy Brown

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$77,390

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $77,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,390
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Toledo
Work county: Lucas
Work state: Ohio

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,390
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 398120095
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tracy Brown holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Toledo, Ohio. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,390. Their pay grade is 11.

Carrie Stephenson

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$77,390

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $77,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,390
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Mount Pleasant
Work county: Isabella
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,390
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 263410073
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Carrie Stephenson serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Their 2024 pay totaled $77,390. They are classified at grade 11.

Diana Whay

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$77,390

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $77,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,390
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Piedmont
Work county: Meade
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,390
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462142093
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Diana Whay holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Piedmont, South Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,390. Their pay grade is 11.

Deborah Estep

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$77,390

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $77,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,390
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Huntington
Work county: Cabell
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,390
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 541270011
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Deborah Estep works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Huntington, West Virginia. Deborah earned $77,390 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Ashley Atkins

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$77,390

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $77,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,390
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chattanooga
Work county: Hamilton
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,390
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 470400065
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ashley Atkins is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 2024 total compensation came to $77,390. They are classified at grade 11.

Rob Marcinowski

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$77,390

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $77,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,390
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Tallahassee
Work county: Leon
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,390
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122940073
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rob Marcinowski holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Tallahassee, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,390. Their pay grade is 11.

Leigh New

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$77,390

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $77,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,390
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Memphis
Work county: Shelby
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,390
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471620157
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Leigh New serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Memphis, Tennessee. Their 2024 pay totaled $77,390. They are classified at grade 11.

Jonathan Schank

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$77,390

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $77,390
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,390
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Orlando
Work county: Orange
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,390
Basic Pay (before locality): $66,247
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122360095
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jonathan Schank holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Orlando, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $77,390. Their pay grade is 11.

Brian Boodrow

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$77,173

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $77,173
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,173
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Albany
Work county: Albany
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $77,173
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 360050001
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brian Boodrow works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Albany, New York. Brian earned $77,173 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Christine Tyler

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$76,985

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $76,985
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,985
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Philadelphia
Work county: Philadelphia
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $76,985
Basic Pay (before locality): $59,887
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 426540101
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Christine Tyler serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their 2024 pay totaled $76,985. They are classified at grade 09.

Zachary Silverman

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$76,640

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $76,640
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,640
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Fort Lauderdale
Work county: Broward
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $76,640
Basic Pay (before locality): $61,598
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 121050011
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Zachary Silverman works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Zachary earned $76,640 in 2024. Their pay grade is 09.

Frederick Fahrner

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$76,043

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $76,043
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,043
Pay grade: 11
Work city: San Antonio
Work county: Bexar
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $76,043
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 486090029
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Frederick Fahrner serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in San Antonio, Texas. Their 2024 pay totaled $76,043. They are classified at grade 11.

Kendall Inglish

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$74,972

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $74,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,972
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Knoxville
Work county: Knox
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,972
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471300093
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kendall Inglish holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,972. Their pay grade is 11.

Ryan Matherne

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$74,972

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $74,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,972
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Metairie
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,972
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 221545051
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ryan Matherne holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Metairie, Louisiana. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,972. Their pay grade is 11.

Jennifer Chandler

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$74,972

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $74,972
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,972
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Mobile
Work county: Mobile
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,972
Basic Pay (before locality): $64,177
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 012100097
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jennifer Chandler holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Mobile, Alabama. In 2024, their total compensation was $74,972. Their pay grade is 11.

Marsha Floyd

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$74,398

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $74,398
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,398
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Seven Fields
Work county: Butler
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $74,398
Basic Pay (before locality): $61,598
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 427488019
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Marsha Floyd is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Seven Fields, Pennsylvania. 2024 total compensation came to $74,398. They are classified at grade 09.

Selena Martinez-Metzgar

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$73,317

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $73,317
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,317
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $73,317
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Selena Martinez-Metzgar is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2024 total compensation came to $73,317. They are classified at grade 11.

Jonathan Merrifield

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$72,553

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $72,553
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,553
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Morgantown
Work county: Monongalia
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $72,553
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 541840061
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jonathan Merrifield is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Morgantown, West Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $72,553. They are classified at grade 11.

Karen Uphaus

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$72,553

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $72,553
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,553
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Jacksonville
Work county: Duval
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $72,553
Basic Pay (before locality): $62,107
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 121510031
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Karen Uphaus holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $72,553. Their pay grade is 11.