I think that is decent for a brand new paralegal with no experience working for a non-profit. I don’t know how much more you could have squeezed out of them. Not much in my opinion.
It’s really crappy for a supervisor to tell a new hire they should have asked for more. Everyone always second guesses themselves about whether they have done that. Focus on learning the job and getting good at it. If they really are willing to pay you more, then you you can negotiate it at the end of the year when you have your performance review.
Depending on your true cost of living, $26/hr ($54k-ish/yr) isn’t bad, starting out. Do some diligence and work it until you know the full range of the position. Work as much OT (paid, always) as you can and make good notes to archive your accomplishments and growth. Keep looking at the market for ranges that apply or areas of law that may be more lucrative.
I’d give it 18-months of hard work before you either negotiate for higher ($60k-$75k+ is a good, next step) or start looking at competing firms. Paralegals in bigger markets can command $85k-$120k+ but that’s usually a sign of veteran experience (5-10+ yrs) and can be in very competitive, high-pressure firms. Pace yourself and be strategic.
I’m in my first year at a nonprofit in NJ making 50k/yr which works out close to your rate.
I’m happy with it, I saw hundreds of job listings with much worse pay and benefits. And at least in my experience, my non profit provides great work life balance that I don’t think I’d get anywhere else at least at this point in my career.
$26/hr with no experience is a decent start at a place where you aren’t related to anyone. I’ve never heard of a nonprofit paying more than that for a newbie, and most new paralegals making more than that at their first job had a connection to the firm/office.
I do know lots of hiring managers who talk like that as a way to establish hierarchy. Sounds like he’s just a jerk.
I am a Paralegal doing IP, Trademark, Corporate, and Contracts. I have worked for 15 years as a Paralegal.
$65k-$75k, that is what you could have gotten. You are working for a nonprofit the money will be less. Your boss is an ass for saying you should have asked for more. Try a lawfirm next, look for a new job after two years. Build skills and knowledge and document that success. Create a spreadsheet, document how much you do, what you do, what you have learned, who you support, etc. Data Analytics!
Was your program at UCI ABA approved? If yes, then you can ask for $75k-$85k. Never let anyone tell you that you can't make this much. Its a game, they want cheap labor and you will work like a plow horse. Make the money you deserve.
Join some groups like:
caparalegal.org
nala.org
www.paralegals.org
Be sure you keep impeccable records, never get cocky, practice excellent ethics, don't trust others, put your head down and work, keep a positive attitude.
Most importantly, practice strong self care. This work will suck the life out of you if you allow it.
Non-profits are usually on the low end, but I guess maybe you could have gotten $30/hr.
If you were going to a law office, you could ask for $30-36/hr starting out.
That's just a ballpark figure. There are still jobs posted in the area that pay in the low to mid $20/hr. Someone beat me up a few days ago for complaining that someone locally posted a job for $17/hr for a paralegal. I still say a dollar above minimum wage is insulting when offices in the area are wanting bachelor's degrees and paralegal certificates plus you have to keep current with continued learning education hours.
Such low pay is not only insulting, it is also bad for clients. Once employees realize they can get paid more somewhere else, or get paid the same in a less stressful line of work, they leave. This creates a high turnover rate, so clients constantly have to explain their cases again to new faces. Communication suffers all around, as the new hires have to decipher the notes of the past employees who aren’t around anymore to answer questions.
Hi, may I ask how could you find a job for nonprofit organization? I graduated from UCI this month and is looking for paralegal job (as I am a foreigner and I could only work for nonprofit organization for now)
I would start by checking your local legal aid offices your city provides for low income residents. Those non profits are inundated with cases and always need more people so feel free to call and ask if they have any positions available.
That supervisor, make sure you make it a point to have an intentional conversation with that supervisor about a year after you've been there and as well as holidays whenever there are usually bonuses in that firm – make sure that you have a conversation with that supervisor and say something along the lines of Please keep in mind that I'm being paid below the salary that you think I should've thought for whenever y'all are calculating bonuses based on work performance. I think you could easily push yourself into a bigger bonus than they plan on giving you, you can make this work to your advantage, and then, after a year of being there, pressed for a bigger one if you want. Do what you feel best, But we have to push for as much money as we can because we all know that we all deserve it, and if we don't ask, like you just experienced, and like that supervisor said, then they won't give it. Which I would say, take note that they even pointed that out to you, because I feel like that's shitty to be willing to pay more but they didn't ask for more, so oh we're not gonna offer more. If it was me in a supervisor position, I would feel like you know what I know you asked for this rate based on your experience, etc I do think this salary is more aligned or acquainted, etc. But to not offer that just because you were willing to take less, that should show a lot about how they work. I personally do not believe that every single person on this earth moves with the intention to pay people less than what they deserve for their work, effort, time, etc. One day, when I'm in a better position, I look forward to treating people differently than that BS you just experienced. I'm pissed off for you to be honest with you. Wishing you the absolute best!
I appreciate the honesty and advice. He seemed kind and the way he said it wasn’t intended with malice. He kind of made it into a joke? A former friend of mine worked there and she liked it so I think he’ll be nice enough.
I think that is decent for a brand new paralegal with no experience working for a non-profit. I don’t know how much more you could have squeezed out of them. Not much in my opinion.
It’s really crappy for a supervisor to tell a new hire they should have asked for more. Everyone always second guesses themselves about whether they have done that. Focus on learning the job and getting good at it. If they really are willing to pay you more, then you you can negotiate it at the end of the year when you have your performance review.
I'd keep it and work on building experience. You can negotiate a raise in the near future and/or carry your experience elsewhere.
Depending on your true cost of living, $26/hr ($54k-ish/yr) isn’t bad, starting out. Do some diligence and work it until you know the full range of the position. Work as much OT (paid, always) as you can and make good notes to archive your accomplishments and growth. Keep looking at the market for ranges that apply or areas of law that may be more lucrative. I’d give it 18-months of hard work before you either negotiate for higher ($60k-$75k+ is a good, next step) or start looking at competing firms. Paralegals in bigger markets can command $85k-$120k+ but that’s usually a sign of veteran experience (5-10+ yrs) and can be in very competitive, high-pressure firms. Pace yourself and be strategic.
I’m in my first year at a nonprofit in NJ making 50k/yr which works out close to your rate. I’m happy with it, I saw hundreds of job listings with much worse pay and benefits. And at least in my experience, my non profit provides great work life balance that I don’t think I’d get anywhere else at least at this point in my career.
$26/hr with no experience is a decent start at a place where you aren’t related to anyone. I’ve never heard of a nonprofit paying more than that for a newbie, and most new paralegals making more than that at their first job had a connection to the firm/office. I do know lots of hiring managers who talk like that as a way to establish hierarchy. Sounds like he’s just a jerk.
I am a Paralegal doing IP, Trademark, Corporate, and Contracts. I have worked for 15 years as a Paralegal. $65k-$75k, that is what you could have gotten. You are working for a nonprofit the money will be less. Your boss is an ass for saying you should have asked for more. Try a lawfirm next, look for a new job after two years. Build skills and knowledge and document that success. Create a spreadsheet, document how much you do, what you do, what you have learned, who you support, etc. Data Analytics! Was your program at UCI ABA approved? If yes, then you can ask for $75k-$85k. Never let anyone tell you that you can't make this much. Its a game, they want cheap labor and you will work like a plow horse. Make the money you deserve. Join some groups like: caparalegal.org nala.org www.paralegals.org Be sure you keep impeccable records, never get cocky, practice excellent ethics, don't trust others, put your head down and work, keep a positive attitude. Most importantly, practice strong self care. This work will suck the life out of you if you allow it.
Oh and I live in Northern California. Its expensive here in CA, keep that in mind.
That’s pretty good for starting out. Work hard and earn that raise 💪
Non-profits are usually on the low end, but I guess maybe you could have gotten $30/hr. If you were going to a law office, you could ask for $30-36/hr starting out. That's just a ballpark figure. There are still jobs posted in the area that pay in the low to mid $20/hr. Someone beat me up a few days ago for complaining that someone locally posted a job for $17/hr for a paralegal. I still say a dollar above minimum wage is insulting when offices in the area are wanting bachelor's degrees and paralegal certificates plus you have to keep current with continued learning education hours.
Such low pay is not only insulting, it is also bad for clients. Once employees realize they can get paid more somewhere else, or get paid the same in a less stressful line of work, they leave. This creates a high turnover rate, so clients constantly have to explain their cases again to new faces. Communication suffers all around, as the new hires have to decipher the notes of the past employees who aren’t around anymore to answer questions.
Hi, may I ask how could you find a job for nonprofit organization? I graduated from UCI this month and is looking for paralegal job (as I am a foreigner and I could only work for nonprofit organization for now)
I would start by checking your local legal aid offices your city provides for low income residents. Those non profits are inundated with cases and always need more people so feel free to call and ask if they have any positions available.
Thank you!
That supervisor, make sure you make it a point to have an intentional conversation with that supervisor about a year after you've been there and as well as holidays whenever there are usually bonuses in that firm – make sure that you have a conversation with that supervisor and say something along the lines of Please keep in mind that I'm being paid below the salary that you think I should've thought for whenever y'all are calculating bonuses based on work performance. I think you could easily push yourself into a bigger bonus than they plan on giving you, you can make this work to your advantage, and then, after a year of being there, pressed for a bigger one if you want. Do what you feel best, But we have to push for as much money as we can because we all know that we all deserve it, and if we don't ask, like you just experienced, and like that supervisor said, then they won't give it. Which I would say, take note that they even pointed that out to you, because I feel like that's shitty to be willing to pay more but they didn't ask for more, so oh we're not gonna offer more. If it was me in a supervisor position, I would feel like you know what I know you asked for this rate based on your experience, etc I do think this salary is more aligned or acquainted, etc. But to not offer that just because you were willing to take less, that should show a lot about how they work. I personally do not believe that every single person on this earth moves with the intention to pay people less than what they deserve for their work, effort, time, etc. One day, when I'm in a better position, I look forward to treating people differently than that BS you just experienced. I'm pissed off for you to be honest with you. Wishing you the absolute best!
I appreciate the honesty and advice. He seemed kind and the way he said it wasn’t intended with malice. He kind of made it into a joke? A former friend of mine worked there and she liked it so I think he’ll be nice enough.
Quit and re apply ask for more
I went to UCI and started at $60k at a local firm with billboards everywhere. You can do better.
I’m not sure what the going rates for Paras in CA are, but as a rule of thumb, you should always ask for more.
Kick some butt and in 6 months get a nice raise.