As of May 2020, paralegals in Oregon earned an average salary of $57,510, or $27.65 per hour. Paralegal jobs in the state totaled about 4,660 during this time. The top-paid paralegals in the state – likely those who have risen through the ranks through a combination of hard work and experience – earned upwards of $91,860, which represents the top 10%.
Oregon Paralegal Certification
At this time there is no mandatory certification or licensing for paralegals in the state of Oregon.
Where to Earn Your Paralegal Certificate or Degree in Oregon
Paralegal Certificates
Portland Community College (PCC) – Cascade and Central Campuses
Portland Community College‘s (PCC) paralegal certificate is a 45-credit program with relatively affordable tuition. The program remains current by conducting surveys of potential employers, graduates and faculty; the resulting feedback helps the school keep the program fresh and relevant by adding new courses, additions to the new law library and supplemental programs. Students are taught to use critical and analytical thinking, develop communication skills, follow professional standards and work effectively using project management skills.
- Estimated Program Cost: $3,960 for students who meet residency guidelines; $9,720 for non-residents; Oregon residents 62 years and older may qualify for free or discounted tuition (based on 2013 per-credit tuition)
- Prerequisites: Associate or bachelor’s degree, 27 general education credits or exemption from these criteria by the department chair
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Sample required courses:
- Intro to Law – Fundamentals
- Intro to Law – Substantive Area
- Techniques of Interview
- Legal Software
- Computer Research in Law
- Applied Legal Research and Drafting
Umpqua Community College (UCC)
Located in Roseburg, Oregon, Umpqua Community College (UCC) offers a one-year legal assistant certificate that gives students the opportunity to learn the basic skills needed to enter the workforce an entry-level paralegal positions. In addition, since the curriculum for this course of study is the same as the curriculum for the school’s Associate in Applied Science in paralegal studies, students can easily continue their education.
- Estimated Program Cost: $2,970.00 (based on 2013 full-program tuition)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma, GED or age 18 or older
- ABA Approved: No
- Format: Online
Sample required courses:
- Ethics for the Legal Profession
- Editing for Business
- Legal Terminology
- Civil Procedures
Paralegal Associate Degrees
Pioneer Pacific College (PPC)
Pioneer Pacific College (PCC) is a for-profit college offering a paralegal Associate in Applied Science at its Wilsonville and Springfield campuses. Classes are taught by experienced legal professionals and all students participate in a 180-hour externship that gives them work experience in a law office.
- Estimated Program Cost: $27,515 (based on 2013 full-program tuition)
- Prerequisites: High school diploma, GED or associate degree or higher with a minimum GPA of 2.5; COMPASS
- ABA Approved: Yes
- Format: On campus
Sample required courses:
- Torts
- Criminal Law
- Ethics and Social Issues
- Political Science
- Civil Procedure & Documentation
Sumner College
Conveniently located in Portland, Sumner College offers an Associate of Applied Science in paralegal studies. Students become familiar with legal software while learning the practical skills needed to work as paralegals. This program gives students knowledge of the American legal system and specialty areas of the law, and can be completed in 60 weeks on campus or 70 weeks online.
- Estimated Program Cost: $19,530 (based on 2013 full-program tuition)
- Prerequisites: Open admissions policy
- ABA Approved: No
- Format: On campus or online
Sample required courses:
- Legal Research
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Family Law
Paralegal Bachelor’s Degrees
Pioneer Pacific College (PPC)
Pioneer Pacific College‘s (PCC) Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies in available on the Wilsonville campus. This program builds upon the school’s Associate in Applied Science paralegal degree and places an emphasis on substantive law and management.
- Estimated Program Cost: $52,680 (based on 2013 full-program tuition and fees)
- Prerequisites: Completion of the PCC’s Associate in Science legal assistant/paralegal program
- ABA Approved: No
- Format: On campus
Sample required courses:
- Law Office Management
- Collective Bargaining
- Conflict Resolution and Management
- Employment Law
- Principles of Economics
Additional Paralegal Educational Programs
Sumner College
Portland, Oregon; online
Degrees Offered: diploma, Associate of Applied Science
Umpqua Community College
Roseburg, Oregon
Degrees Offered: certificate, Associate of Applied Science
Professional Organizations
- The Oregon Paralegal Association (OPA) promotes the paralegal profession, continuing education and fellowship among association members and others in the legal community. Members have access to a job bank, as well as opportunities to network and learn new things about specialties like litigation and corporate law. Student memberships are available.
2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and job market trends for paralegals reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2022.