Legal Support Services at South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, WA · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 2,692 students in Olympia, WA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,530/yr fall 26% below the $36,991 national median for Legal Support Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 30.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Legal Support Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #108 ranking among 127 Legal Support Services programs places South Puget Sound Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Legal Support Services careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
34
Low End
39
Score
42
High End
Earnings $27,530/yr (-26% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (39% shielded)
Job Market Large (77,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$316K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,206
Out-of-state: $11,274

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Legal Support Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Legal support workers, all other $68,760 -1.2% 100%
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners $67,310 -0.3% 4%
Paralegals and legal assistants $61,010 +0.2% 48%
Legal support workers, all other
$68,760
-1.2% growth 100% AI-proof
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
$67,310
-0.3% growth 4% AI-proof
Paralegals and legal assistants
$61,010
+0.2% growth 48% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Legal Support Services Career Guide

What can you do with a Legal Support Services credential from South Puget Sound Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Legal Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Legal Support Services Overview

Legal Support Services at Other Schools

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Legal Support Services at South Puget Sound Community College?
This program scores 39/100 — on the lower end for Legal Support Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the AI risk for Legal Support Services graduates from South Puget Sound Community College?
AI exposure of 61% is a real factor. For South Puget Sound Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($315,600) and pessimistic ($288,024) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Is South Puget Sound Community College a good choice for Legal Support Services despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Legal Support Services through an apprenticeship instead of South Puget Sound Community College?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Legal Support Services occupations, such as Legal Secretary and Paralegal (Alternate Title: Paralegal Specialist). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Legal Support Services from South Puget Sound Community College?
At 77,600 annual openings, Legal Support Services has a large employment base. South Puget Sound Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →