How much income do paralegals earn? Freelance paralegal income, I'm talking about.

Keep in mind that paralegals have who are freelance have to pay their own medical insurance. This for my family is $10,000 per year or more. Then there are costs like phone, fax, just keeping the printer fed with toner and paper and you know, all the other things associated with owning a business of your own.

And don't forget self employment tax. That is a good chunk — 15.3%. Ugh! That does not take into account income tax…

Okay, so with that preamble, what do paralegals make? I called around and did a very informal survey. I called in Los Angeles because it is a big market, a major city, and would have a lot of variation.

• $20/hour down to $18/hour if you do 10 hours or more.
• $35/hour up to $45/hour for a "rush" job
• $395 for a "regular dissolution", which is a divorce, plus court costs.

A lot of people can do okay on $35 per hour or $45 per hour but I doubt too many people would be comfortable at $20 per hour considering the need to pay all the expenses I mentioned. Even $35 or $45 per hour can be a struggle unless you get in enough hours.

There are lots of hours you can't bill for. Why? There just are. If you are honest about your billing, that is. It is tough to bill more than 30 or at most 40 hours per week if you have a real life outside of work.

That's my informal survey of what paralegals earn. And here is my suggestion. Check out lawsuit financing as a business you can run from home. You will finance plaintiffs in lawsuits. Click to find how lawsuit funding is the home based franchise that does good in the world. I have a special email list that you can join and I will rush you a free 9 page report on this opportunity, free and instantly available. I never ever share your email or information with anyone, ever. And you can opt out by clicking a link that is at the bottom of every email I send. I look forward to hearing from you.