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

Frieda Cheslow

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $159,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Frieda Cheslow is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in New York - New York, New York. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Angel Hammond

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Angel Hammond works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. Angel earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Robin Noyes

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Robin Noyes works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. Robin earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Lisa Pagan

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 14
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lisa Pagan is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in San Francisco, California. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 14.

Sidney Sherman

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sidney Sherman is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Dara Tunstall

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $147,647
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Dara Tunstall works as a Paralegal Specialist for Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. Dara earned $191,900 in 2024. Their pay grade is 15.

Brad Wilder

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$191,900

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $191,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,900
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,900
Basic Pay (before locality): $151,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brad Wilder is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $191,900. They are classified at grade 15.

Lavone Gray

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$191,289

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $191,289
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $191,289
Pay grade: 15
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $191,289
Basic Pay (before locality): $143,546
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lavone Gray holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. In 2024, their total compensation was $191,289. Their pay grade is 15.

Carla Valadez

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$182,527

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $182,527
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $182,527
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Richmond
Work county: Contra Costa
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $182,527
Basic Pay (before locality): $125,526
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063010013
Length of Service (Years): 19
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Carla Valadez is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Richmond, California. 2024 total compensation came to $182,527. They are classified at grade 14.

Thomas Bannworth

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$181,843

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $181,843
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,843
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Jersey City
Work county: Hudson
Work state: New Jersey

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,843
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 341520017
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Thomas Bannworth holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Jersey City, New Jersey. In 2024, their total compensation was $181,843. Their pay grade is 14.

Stephen Dragotto

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$181,843

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $181,843
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,843
Pay grade: 14
Work city: New York - New York
Work county: New York
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,843
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170061
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Stephen Dragotto serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in New York - New York, New York. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,843. They are classified at grade 14.

Dreega Mosby

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Dreega Mosby serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Ilselore Passalacqua

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 49
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ilselore Passalacqua is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Roxie Rasey

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 47
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Roxie Rasey serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Jeffrey Schwartzbeck

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$181,216

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $181,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $181,216
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $181,216
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 31
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jeffrey Schwartzbeck is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $181,216. They are classified at grade 14.

Stephanie Korupp

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$179,462

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $179,462
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $179,462
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Portland
Work county: Cumberland
Work state: Maine

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $179,462
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 236400005
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Stephanie Korupp holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Portland, Maine. In 2024, their total compensation was $179,462. Their pay grade is 14.

Tan Chao

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$177,457

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $177,457
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,457
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Oakland
Work county: Alameda
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,457
Basic Pay (before locality): $122,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062480001
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tan Chao holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Oakland, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $177,457. Their pay grade is 14.

Ronald Gryga

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$177,341

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $177,341
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,341
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Orland Park
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,341
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 176610031
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Ronald Gryga serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Orland Park, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $177,341. They are classified at grade 14.

Vanessa Spears

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$177,341

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $177,341
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $177,341
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Evanston
Work county: Cook
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $177,341
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 172870031
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Vanessa Spears serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Evanston, Illinois. Their 2024 pay totaled $177,341. They are classified at grade 14.

Nathaniel Jackson

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Baltimore
Work county: Baltimore
Work state: Maryland

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 240050510
Length of Service (Years): 26
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nathaniel Jackson is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. 2024 total compensation came to $176,570. They are classified at grade 14.

Maxine Smith

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 27
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Social Security Administration, Maxine Smith serves as a Paralegal Specialist based in Washington, District of Columbia. Their 2024 pay totaled $176,570. They are classified at grade 14.

Shelia Vasquez

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$176,570

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $176,570
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $176,570
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $176,570
Basic Pay (before locality): $132,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 42
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shelia Vasquez is a Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Washington, District of Columbia. 2024 total compensation came to $176,570. They are classified at grade 14.

Elaine Haire

Paralegal Specialist/Social Security Administration

2024 total comp

$175,641

Sub-department: Social Security Administration
Base pay: $175,641
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $175,641
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Sacramento
Work county: Sacramento
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $175,641
Basic Pay (before locality): $135,987
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063150067
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0950
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elaine Haire holds the role of Paralegal Specialist at Social Security Administration based in Sacramento, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $175,641. Their pay grade is 14.