Career group

Legal Careers

Paths into the legal system, from a one-day notary commission to the years-long road to the bench.

JudgeTime: 12–20+ years after high schoolMedian pay: $153,990 per year (judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates)Bachelor's degree + Juris Doctor (J.D.) for most judgeshipsHow to become a judge →Notary PublicTime: 2–8 weeks in most statesMedian pay: Not tracked by BLS as a separate occupationNo degree required; state-approved course in some statesHow to become a notary public →ParalegalTime: 3 months–2 yearsMedian pay: $62,890 per year ($30.24 per hour)Paralegal certificate or associate degree; some employers prefer a bachelor'sHow to become a paralegal →

Compare at a glance

CareerTimeTypical costMedian pay
Judge12–20+ years after high school$100,000–$300,000+ (mostly law school)$153,990 per year (judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates)
Notary Public2–8 weeks in most states$50–$500 (state fees, training, bond, stamp)Not tracked by BLS; income set by state per-act fee limits
Paralegal3 months–2 years$1,000–$15,000 for most certificate and associate programs$62,890 per year