OK, with regards to what kind of education you need:
"There are several ways to become a paralegal. The most common is
through a community college paralegal program that leads to an
associate’s degree. The other common method of entry, mainly for those
who already have a college degree, is through a program that leads to a
certification in paralegal studies. A small number of schools also
offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in paralegal studies. Some
employers train paralegals on the job, hiring college graduates with no
legal experience or promoting experienced legal secretaries. Other
entrants have experience in a technical field that is useful to law
firms, such as a background in tax preparation for tax and estate
practice or in criminal justice, nursing, or health administration for
personal injury practice.
An estimated 1,000 colleges and universities, law schools, and
proprietary schools offer formal paralegal training programs.
Approximately 260 paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar
Association (ABA). Although many programs do not require such approval,
graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance one’s employment
opportunities. The requirements for admission to these programs vary.
Some require certain college courses or a bachelor’s degree, others
accept high school graduates or those with legal experience, and a few
schools require standardized tests and personal interviews.
Paralegal programs include 2-year associate degree’s programs,
4-year bachelor’s degree programs, and certificate programs that can
take only a few months to complete. Most certificate programs provide
intensive and, in some cases, specialized paralegal training for
individuals who already hold college degrees, while associate’s and
bachelor’s degree programs usually combine paralegal training with
courses in other academic subjects. The quality of paralegal training
programs varies; the better programs usually include job placement
services. Programs generally offer courses introducing students to the
legal applications of computers, including how to perform legal
research on the Internet. Many paralegal training programs also offer
an internship in which students gain practical experience by working
for several months in a private law firm, the office of a public
defender or attorney general, a bank, a corporate legal department, a
legal aid organization, or a government agency. Experience gained in
internships is an asset when one is seeking a job after graduation.
Prospective students should examine the experiences of recent graduates
before enrolling in a paralegal program.
Although most employers do not require certification, earning a
voluntary certificate from a professional society may offer advantages
in the labor market. The National Association of Legal Assistants
(NALA), for example, has established standards for certification
requiring various combinations of education and experience. Paralegals
who meet these standards are eligible to take a 2-day examination,
given three times each year at several regional testing centers. Those
who pass this examination may use the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)
designation. The NALA also offers an advanced paralegal certification
for those who want to specialize in other areas of the law. In
addition, the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam, administered through
the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, offers professional
recognition to paralegals with a bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years
of experience. Those who pass this examination may use the Registered
Paralegal (RP) designation."
Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm
As for what kind of salary a paralegal makes, check out the following:
Hope this helps ... good luck!!