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

Carolyn Parker

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$94,491

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $94,491
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,491
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $94,491
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,457
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Carolyn Parker works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Chicago, Illinois. Carolyn earned $94,491 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Lenora Winn

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$94,109

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $94,109
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,109
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Edwardsville
Work county: Madison
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $94,109
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 172640119
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lenora Winn is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Edwardsville, Illinois. 2024 total compensation came to $94,109. They are classified at grade 11.

Crystal Tyson

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$93,798

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $93,798
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,798
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,798
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Crystal Tyson holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $93,798. Their pay grade is 11.

Terron Gladney

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$93,798

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
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): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Terron Gladney holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $93,798. Their pay grade is 11.

Loanda Carter

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$93,798

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $93,798
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,798
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,798
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Loanda Carter is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Woodlawn, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $93,798. They are classified at grade 11.

Catherine Reeder

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$93,798

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $93,798
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,798
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,798
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 45
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Catherine Reeder holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Woodlawn, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $93,798. Their pay grade is 11.

Nakeesha Tucker

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$93,798

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $93,798
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,798
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,798
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nakeesha Tucker holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Woodlawn, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $93,798. Their pay grade is 11.

Victor Alava

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$93,758

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $93,758
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,758
Pay grade: 11
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,758
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 360000061
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Victor Alava holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in New York. In 2024, their total compensation was $93,758. Their pay grade is 11.

Angela Lee

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$93,758

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $93,758
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,758
Pay grade: 11
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,758
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 360000061
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Angela Lee works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in New York. Angela earned $93,758 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Robyn Rego

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$92,890

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $92,890
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,890
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Providence
Work county: Providence
Work state: Rhode Island

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $92,890
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 440190007
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Robyn Rego is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Providence, Rhode Island. 2024 total compensation came to $92,890. They are classified at grade 11.

Kathryn Yates

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$91,792

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $91,792
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,792
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,792
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 38
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Kathryn Yates serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Chicago, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,792. They are classified at grade 11.

Deniese Suggs

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$91,792

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $91,792
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,792
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,792
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Deniese Suggs serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Chicago, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,792. They are classified at grade 11.

Cathelina Barcelona

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$91,419

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $91,419
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,419
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Denver
Work county: Denver
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,419
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080600031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Cathelina Barcelona holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Denver, Colorado. In 2024, their total compensation was $91,419. Their pay grade is 11.

Jamie Klingler

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$91,039

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $91,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,039
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,039
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Jamie Klingler serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,039. They are classified at grade 11.

Jason Ellison

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$91,039

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $91,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,039
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,039
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jason Ellison works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. Jason earned $91,039 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Curtis Robinson

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$91,039

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $91,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,039
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,039
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Curtis Robinson is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $91,039. They are classified at grade 11.

Muriyd Muhammad

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$91,039

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $91,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,039
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,039
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Muriyd Muhammad works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. Muriyd earned $91,039 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Nicole Rorie

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$91,039

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $91,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,039
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,039
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nicole Rorie works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. Nicole earned $91,039 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Ronald Williams

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$91,039

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $91,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,039
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Woodlawn
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,039
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 241698005
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Ronald Williams serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Woodlawn, Maryland. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,039. They are classified at grade 11.

Gloria Holmes

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$90,158

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $90,158
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,158
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Boston
Work county: Suffolk
Work state: Massachusetts

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,158
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 250120025
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Gloria Holmes holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2024, their total compensation was $90,158. Their pay grade is 11.

Alison Richards

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$89,365

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $89,365
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,365
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Seattle
Work county: King
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,365
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531960033
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alison Richards holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Seattle, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,365. Their pay grade is 11.

Carlon Smith

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$89,328

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $89,328
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,328
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,328
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Carlon Smith holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Dallas, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,328. Their pay grade is 11.

Dorothy Manker

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$89,328

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $89,328
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,328
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Dallas
Work county: Dallas
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,328
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,387
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481730113
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Dorothy Manker holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Dallas, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $89,328. Their pay grade is 11.

Latisha Adams

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$89,092

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $89,092
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,092
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,092
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Latisha Adams serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Chicago, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $89,092. They are classified at grade 11.

Musa Causevic

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$89,092

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $89,092
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,092
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,092
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Musa Causevic is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Chicago, Illinois. 2024 total compensation came to $89,092. They are classified at grade 11.

Synthia Ross

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$89,092

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $89,092
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,092
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Chicago
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,092
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 171670031
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Synthia Ross serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Chicago, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $89,092. They are classified at grade 11.