Paralegal salary
BLS occupation: Paralegals and Legal Assistants · also called legal assistant · Legal · data for May 2025
Median salary $62,890 a year, US
Median hourly pay $30.24 an hour
Middle half earn $50,340–$80,080 25th to 75th percentile
Paralegals employed 392,880 −0.3% projected by 2035
How much does a paralegal make?
- The median paralegal salary in the US is $62,890 a year ($30.24 an hour): half of the 392,880 paralegals BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $69,700.
- The middle half earn between $50,340 and $80,080. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $44,740 and the top 10% more than $101,500.
- That is 23% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays paralegals the most (median $89,750), followed by Washington ($79,400) and Colorado ($78,190). Mississippi pays the least ($46,180).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia, where the median is worth $81,664 in typical US prices, then Minnesota and Colorado.
- In 122 of the 371 metro areas with data, the median paralegal salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of paralegals to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 40,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is an associate's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what paralegals are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Paralegal salary range
Half of paralegals earn between $50,340 and $80,080 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $44,740
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $50,340
Median Yearly pay: $62,890
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $80,080
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $101,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $44,740 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $50,340 |
| Median | $62,890 |
| Top 25% earn over | $80,080 |
| Top 10% earn over | $101,500 |
Paralegal salary by state
The District of Columbia pays paralegals the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($62,890), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $89,750 median |
| Washington | $79,400 median |
| Colorado | $78,190 median |
| Massachusetts | $77,640 median |
| California | $77,390 median |
| Minnesota | $75,570 median |
| New Jersey | $71,500 median |
| Alaska | $68,700 median |
| New York | $68,410 median |
| Vermont | $67,160 median |
| Maryland | $65,640 median |
| Nevada | $64,680 median |
| Virginia | $63,990 median |
| Connecticut | $63,820 median |
| Illinois | $63,670 median |
| Pennsylvania | $63,370 median |
| Nebraska | $63,250 median |
| Utah | $63,220 median |
| Delaware | $63,110 median |
| Hawaii | $62,840 median |
| Maine | $62,420 median |
| Georgia | $62,400 median |
| Texas | $62,310 median |
| Michigan | $62,170 median |
| New Hampshire | $62,040 median |
| Arizona | $61,630 median |
| Oregon | $61,490 median |
| Missouri | $61,410 median |
| Florida | $61,000 median |
| Ohio | $60,420 median |
| Louisiana | $60,250 median |
| New Mexico | $59,840 median |
| Kentucky | $59,830 median |
| North Dakota | $59,430 median |
| West Virginia | $59,000 median |
| Tennessee | $58,820 median |
| Wisconsin | $58,500 median |
| South Dakota | $58,320 median |
| North Carolina | $57,500 median |
| Montana | $57,290 median |
| Indiana | $57,030 median |
| Rhode Island | $56,250 median |
| Kansas | $55,000 median |
| Iowa | $54,550 median |
| South Carolina | $53,880 median |
| Oklahoma | $53,170 median |
| Idaho | $49,690 median |
| Wyoming | $49,490 median |
| Arkansas | $47,420 median |
| Alabama | $47,260 median |
| Mississippi | $46,180 median |
Where paralegal pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Paralegals' pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $81,664 |
| Minnesota | $76,627 |
| Colorado | $75,874 |
| Washington | $74,197 |
| Massachusetts | $73,414 |
| Nebraska | $70,197 |
| California | $69,897 |
| Vermont | $68,560 |
| Louisiana | $68,305 |
| Missouri | $67,619 |
Paralegal pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $89,750 | $43.15 | $59,770 | $131,650 | 6,400 | $81,664 |
| Washington | $79,400 | $38.17 | $50,470 | $116,750 | 9,460 | $74,197 |
| Colorado | $78,190 | $37.59 | $56,930 | $106,160 | 5,620 | $75,874 |
| Massachusetts | $77,640 | $37.33 | $49,770 | $117,480 | 7,800 | $73,414 |
| California | $77,390 | $37.21 | $50,460 | $119,580 | 47,130 | $69,897 |
| Minnesota | $75,570 | $36.33 | $47,730 | $102,920 | 7,400 | $76,627 |
| New Jersey | $71,500 | $34.38 | $47,070 | $99,900 | 12,010 | $65,714 |
| Alaska | $68,700 | $33.03 | $53,830 | $99,320 | 570 | $67,117 |
| New York | $68,410 | $32.89 | $48,330 | $115,720 | 34,220 | $63,389 |
| Vermont | $67,160 | $32.29 | $48,650 | $87,390 | 660 | $68,560 |
| Maryland | $65,640 | $31.56 | $48,260 | $108,380 | 6,460 | $62,539 |
| Nevada | $64,680 | $31.10 | $47,640 | $82,160 | 3,620 | $64,694 |
| Virginia | $63,990 | $30.76 | $47,860 | $100,550 | 10,250 | $63,291 |
| Connecticut | $63,820 | $30.68 | $46,440 | $100,040 | 5,210 | $61,596 |
| Illinois | $63,670 | $30.61 | $46,860 | $104,580 | 14,130 | $63,697 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,370 | $30.47 | $45,710 | $96,080 | 14,670 | $64,947 |
| Nebraska | $63,250 | $30.41 | $44,230 | $86,990 | 1,630 | $70,197 |
| Utah | $63,220 | $30.39 | $43,930 | $100,510 | 3,250 | $63,946 |
| Delaware | $63,110 | $30.34 | $48,880 | $99,390 | 2,480 | $63,231 |
| Hawaii | $62,840 | $30.21 | $47,010 | $85,440 | 1,170 | $57,153 |
| Maine | $62,420 | $30.01 | $48,260 | $80,550 | 1,210 | $64,317 |
| Georgia | $62,400 | $30.00 | $39,530 | $101,210 | 14,160 | $64,802 |
| Texas | $62,310 | $29.96 | $39,190 | $98,440 | 29,540 | $64,199 |
| Michigan | $62,170 | $29.89 | $46,590 | $96,610 | 7,730 | $64,614 |
| New Hampshire | $62,040 | $29.83 | $46,870 | $86,190 | 1,430 | $59,559 |
| Arizona | $61,630 | $29.63 | $45,700 | $96,340 | 7,890 | $61,216 |
| Oregon | $61,490 | $29.56 | $48,250 | $98,640 | 4,870 | $59,491 |
| Missouri | $61,410 | $29.52 | $42,150 | $96,820 | 7,130 | $67,619 |
| Florida | $61,000 | $29.33 | $38,830 | $83,410 | 40,950 | $58,986 |
| Ohio | $60,420 | $29.05 | $41,720 | $94,660 | 9,270 | $65,126 |
| Louisiana | $60,250 | $28.97 | $36,960 | $78,230 | 4,890 | $68,305 |
| New Mexico | $59,840 | $28.77 | $43,660 | $80,490 | 1,740 | $64,894 |
| Kentucky | $59,830 | $28.76 | $36,560 | $78,730 | 3,540 | $66,361 |
| North Dakota | $59,430 | $28.57 | $45,300 | $78,430 | 730 | $66,806 |
| West Virginia | $59,000 | $28.37 | $35,770 | $107,310 | 1,660 | $65,924 |
| Tennessee | $58,820 | $28.28 | $43,570 | $83,100 | 6,080 | $64,025 |
| Wisconsin | $58,500 | $28.13 | $45,220 | $86,210 | 4,780 | $62,171 |
| South Dakota | $58,320 | $28.04 | $48,890 | $84,090 | 600 | $65,834 |
| North Carolina | $57,500 | $27.64 | $38,570 | $84,410 | 13,650 | $60,959 |
| Montana | $57,290 | $27.54 | $46,140 | $76,660 | 1,010 | $60,531 |
| Indiana | $57,030 | $27.42 | $40,650 | $92,160 | 5,910 | $61,106 |
| Rhode Island | $56,250 | $27.04 | $43,370 | $79,650 | 2,070 | $54,996 |
| Kansas | $55,000 | $26.44 | $38,860 | $79,090 | 2,210 | $61,065 |
| Iowa | $54,550 | $26.23 | $37,900 | $83,520 | 2,980 | $62,157 |
| South Carolina | $53,880 | $25.90 | $38,020 | $75,640 | 7,420 | $57,473 |
| Oklahoma | $53,170 | $25.56 | $36,020 | $82,060 | 3,110 | $60,528 |
| Idaho | $49,690 | $23.89 | $36,930 | $75,420 | 2,030 | $52,035 |
| Wyoming | $49,490 | $23.79 | $35,890 | $64,780 | 600 | $53,392 |
| Arkansas | $47,420 | $22.80 | $36,290 | $81,700 | 1,610 | $54,545 |
| Alabama | $47,260 | $22.72 | $30,750 | $77,100 | 5,700 | $53,207 |
| Mississippi | $46,180 | $22.20 | $35,660 | $67,960 | 2,270 | $53,109 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Paralegal salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes paralegal pay: 375 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $99,250
- Seattle, WA $92,900
- San Francisco, CA $84,030
- Washington, DC $81,590
- Santa Maria, CA $80,930
- Denver, CO $80,500
- Boston, MA $79,850
- Vallejo, CA $79,280
- Sacramento, CA $78,550
- Santa Rosa, CA $78,160
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $89,882
- Parkersburg, WV $87,750
- Seattle, WA $83,594
- Denver, CO $76,100
- Washington, DC $74,933
- Santa Maria, CA $74,386
- Boston, MA $73,754
- Sacramento, CA $73,638
- Vallejo, CA $73,083
- Minneapolis, MN $72,714
All 375 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $99,250 | 2,030 | $89,882 | 46% |
| Seattle, WA | $92,900 | 6,310 | $83,594 | 29% |
| San Francisco, CA | $84,030 | 7,630 | $72,682 | 49% |
| Washington, DC | $81,590 | 12,990 | $74,933 | 35% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $80,930 | 360 | $74,386 | 49% |
| Denver, CO | $80,500 | 3,740 | $76,100 | 28% |
| Boston, MA | $79,850 | 6,300 | $73,754 | 45% |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,280 | 160 | $73,083 | 37% |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,550 | 2,590 | $73,638 | 35% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $78,160 | 290 | $72,515 | 41% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $77,520 | 22,240 | $68,260 | 45% |
| Napa, CA | $77,020 | 80 | $68,429 | 45% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $76,400 | 200 | $87,750 | 17% |
| San Diego, CA | $76,300 | 4,440 | $68,194 | 47% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $76,220 | 5,990 | $72,714 | 27% |
| Portland, OR | $75,430 | 3,510 | $71,551 | 29% |
| New York, NY | $75,330 | 33,850 | $66,923 | 56% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $75,230 | 70 | $72,438 | 28% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $75,200 | 280 | $69,247 | 45% |
| Oxnard, CA | $74,780 | 520 | $67,653 | 47% |
| Trenton, NJ | $73,250 | 790 | $70,992 | 41% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $71,390 | 60 | $69,171 | 31% |
| Bremerton, WA | $71,310 | 190 | $67,524 | 35% |
| Burlington, VT | $71,160 | 300 | $70,491 | 44% |
| Olympia, WA | $71,140 | 570 | $68,622 | 34% |
| Worcester, MA | $70,990 | 480 | $69,243 | 36% |
| Chicago, IL | $70,550 | 11,590 | $68,102 | 37% |
| Stockton, CA | $70,520 | 290 | $67,105 | 41% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $70,430 | 11,150 | $68,676 | 32% |
| Carson City, NV | $70,010 | 80 | $71,344 | 35% |
| Hanford, CA | $69,600 | 50 | $68,496 | 33% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $69,440 | 350 | $68,665 | 34% |
| Hartford, CT | $67,500 | 1,930 | $65,696 | 36% |
| Kahului, HI | $67,480 | 100 | $61,686 | 57% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $66,720 | 2,660 | $66,577 | 31% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $66,540 | 330 | $67,309 | 37% |
| Iowa City, IA | $66,400 | 330 | $72,561 | 32% |
| Anchorage, AK | $66,210 | 390 | $62,806 | 34% |
| Boulder, CO | $66,090 | 400 | $62,822 | 40% |
| Springfield, MA | $65,820 | 430 | $68,519 | 36% |
| Baltimore, MD | $65,640 | 3,880 | $62,821 | 35% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $64,830 | 560 | $64,375 | 33% |
| New Orleans, LA | $64,780 | 2,120 | $69,959 | 29% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $64,690 | 150 | $58,865 | 64% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $64,670 | 2,140 | $64,113 | 31% |
| Naples, FL | $64,660 | 520 | $62,655 | 48% |
| Greeley, CO | $64,620 | 90 | $64,506 | 31% |
| Waterbury, CT | $64,570 | 420 | $64,714 | – |
| Midland, TX | $64,500 | 100 | $67,340 | 29% |
| Visalia, CA | $64,380 | 120 | $64,493 | 32% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $64,370 | 130 | $71,354 | 27% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $64,330 | 1,700 | $67,453 | 28% |
| Barnstable, MA | $64,310 | 190 | $65,388 | 48% |
| Portland, ME | $64,280 | 700 | $63,107 | 43% |
| Omaha, NE | $64,230 | 1,010 | $69,883 | 26% |
| Helena, MT | $64,210 | 170 | $67,113 | 31% |
| Austin, TX | $64,140 | 4,390 | $65,405 | 30% |
| Atlanta, GA | $64,080 | 10,290 | $64,043 | 35% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $64,050 | 100 | $63,895 | – |
| Bellingham, WA | $63,950 | 180 | $61,887 | 37% |
| Salinas, CA | $63,950 | 230 | $58,647 | 52% |
| Kansas City, MO | $63,880 | 2,900 | $69,027 | 29% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $63,770 | 100 | $63,289 | 38% |
| Lexington, KY | $63,640 | 640 | $68,512 | 30% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $63,620 | 2,620 | $67,201 | 28% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $63,420 | 300 | $62,863 | 34% |
| Detroit, MI | $63,400 | 4,550 | $63,212 | 29% |
| New Haven, CT | $63,390 | 780 | $60,626 | 39% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $63,290 | 330 | $67,208 | 31% |
| Dallas, TX | $63,220 | 8,320 | $61,325 | 31% |
| Yakima, WA | $63,140 | 180 | $66,084 | 26% |
| El Centro, CA | $63,000 | 60 | $66,195 | 34% |
| Richmond, VA | $62,940 | 1,930 | $64,318 | 33% |
| Honolulu, HI | $62,840 | 880 | $56,633 | 58% |
| Houston, TX | $62,730 | 7,320 | $63,602 | 31% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $62,620 | 6,280 | $60,610 | 33% |
| Kennewick, WA | $62,500 | 270 | $62,451 | 33% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $62,480 | 2,170 | $62,804 | 32% |
| Fresno, CA | $62,450 | 920 | $61,131 | 39% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $62,370 | 870 | $65,277 | 31% |
| Kingston, NY | $62,210 | 140 | $61,772 | 39% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $62,210 | 80 | $65,411 | 34% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $62,130 | 2,770 | $64,924 | 30% |
| Miami, FL | $62,090 | 17,820 | $54,391 | 51% |
| Manchester, NH | $62,040 | 500 | $58,718 | 42% |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,970 | 4,030 | $65,171 | 28% |
| Raleigh, NC | $61,880 | 2,540 | $63,042 | 32% |
| Morgantown, WV | $61,840 | 100 | $66,264 | 26% |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,780 | 330 | $62,876 | 31% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $61,480 | 380 | $60,944 | 37% |
| Riverside, CA | $61,460 | 2,460 | $57,740 | 49% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $61,450 | 80 | $59,985 | 43% |
| Lincoln, NE | $61,440 | 420 | $67,088 | 25% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $61,420 | 100 | $64,330 | 34% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $61,350 | 600 | $56,067 | 44% |
| Merced, CA | $61,320 | 90 | $62,396 | 40% |
| Louisville, KY | $61,270 | 1,460 | $65,829 | 26% |
| Rochester, MN | $61,230 | 200 | $67,418 | 31% |
| Peoria, IL | $61,220 | 370 | $67,104 | 23% |
| Syracuse, NY | $61,150 | 970 | $63,870 | 32% |
| Allentown, PA | $61,000 | 430 | $61,020 | 36% |
| Cleveland, OH | $60,960 | 2,960 | $64,904 | 28% |
| Madison, WI | $60,800 | 850 | $62,496 | 35% |
| Nashville, TN | $60,800 | 2,660 | $63,111 | 36% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $60,700 | 910 | $59,307 | 36% |
| Yuma, AZ | $60,700 | 90 | $65,476 | 28% |
| Albany, NY | $60,680 | 1,340 | $60,944 | 33% |
| Yuba City, CA | $60,650 | 40 | $58,187 | 40% |
| Ithaca, NY | $60,550 | 80 | $58,606 | 39% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $60,540 | 80 | $66,842 | 26% |
| Columbus, OH | $60,430 | 2,260 | $63,298 | 30% |
| Binghamton, NY | $60,420 | 240 | $65,064 | 32% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $60,370 | 420 | $65,635 | 29% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $60,370 | 490 | $60,233 | 46% |
| Savannah, GA | $60,370 | 610 | $63,410 | 35% |
| Vineland, NJ | $60,370 | 80 | $62,906 | 33% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $60,360 | 1,000 | $61,186 | 29% |
| Bend, OR | $60,340 | 230 | $58,239 | 44% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $60,340 | 1,880 | $62,247 | 31% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $60,320 | 280 | $61,073 | 39% |
| Akron, OH | $60,290 | 410 | $64,571 | 26% |
| Lansing, MI | $60,220 | 400 | $63,395 | 26% |
| Bloomington, IL | $60,160 | 260 | $64,317 | 26% |
| Tampa, FL | $60,150 | 6,630 | $59,619 | 40% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $60,120 | 50 | $61,024 | 29% |
| Bismarck, ND | $60,110 | 160 | $66,038 | 26% |
| Des Moines, IA | $60,080 | 1,190 | $65,517 | 26% |
| North Port, FL | $60,070 | 990 | $58,652 | 42% |
| Roanoke, VA | $60,060 | 390 | $64,154 | 28% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $60,060 | 260 | $66,269 | 25% |
| Springfield, IL | $59,990 | 230 | $64,683 | 24% |
| Toledo, OH | $59,960 | 340 | $65,562 | 25% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $59,950 | 1,600 | $56,099 | 58% |
| Odessa, TX | $59,890 | 100 | $63,783 | 32% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $59,890 | 210 | $68,343 | 25% |
| Pueblo, CO | $59,880 | 70 | $65,256 | 26% |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,870 | 4,140 | $61,501 | 35% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $59,790 | 1,670 | $61,047 | 38% |
| Amarillo, TX | $59,740 | 190 | $65,062 | 26% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $59,740 | 190 | $60,255 | 41% |
| Rockford, IL | $59,700 | 200 | $64,783 | 26% |
| Decatur, IL | $59,690 | 30 | $67,506 | 21% |
| Redding, CA | $59,620 | 120 | $59,215 | 33% |
| Spokane, WA | $59,540 | 610 | $59,335 | 30% |
| Lebanon, PA | $59,490 | 40 | $63,821 | 29% |
| Mankato, MN | $59,490 | 100 | $65,406 | 25% |
| Orlando, FL | $59,470 | 5,480 | $58,639 | 39% |
| Minot, ND | $59,430 | 70 | $68,288 | 25% |
| York, PA | $59,400 | 240 | $61,875 | 28% |
| Farmington, NM | $59,380 | 30 | $67,703 | 28% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $59,370 | 1,070 | $62,138 | 30% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $59,290 | 530 | $64,823 | 31% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $59,170 | 160 | $65,614 | 25% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $59,170 | 100 | $62,372 | 29% |
| Bozeman, MT | $59,120 | 90 | $57,672 | 45% |
| Paducah, KY | $59,110 | 90 | $68,665 | 23% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $59,030 | 960 | $65,025 | 28% |
| Jackson, MI | $59,030 | 70 | $64,318 | 24% |
| Killeen, TX | $58,970 | 220 | $64,708 | 27% |
| Shreveport, LA | $58,900 | 240 | $69,485 | 26% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $58,870 | 490 | $63,594 | 26% |
| Bloomington, IN | $58,850 | 130 | $61,893 | 36% |
| Dover, DE | $58,830 | 220 | $60,334 | 36% |
| Modesto, CA | $58,820 | 420 | $56,499 | 42% |
| Abilene, TX | $58,700 | 80 | $64,959 | 41% |
| Dayton, OH | $58,680 | 470 | $63,305 | 27% |
| Billings, MT | $58,670 | 170 | $62,731 | 28% |
| Greensboro, NC | $58,650 | 860 | $63,156 | 29% |
| Winchester, VA | $58,640 | 80 | $60,798 | 37% |
| Waco, TX | $58,620 | 250 | $63,339 | 29% |
| Champaign, IL | $58,580 | 100 | $63,190 | 28% |
| Reading, PA | $58,570 | 200 | $60,344 | 32% |
| Lewiston, ME | $58,430 | 90 | $61,677 | 33% |
| Johnstown, PA | $58,390 | 50 | $67,951 | 18% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $58,320 | 70 | $62,906 | 34% |
| Bangor, ME | $58,280 | 120 | $60,389 | 31% |
| Chico, CA | $58,280 | 90 | $57,591 | 32% |
| Buffalo, NY | $58,270 | 2,060 | $60,797 | 30% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $58,250 | 610 | $58,247 | 39% |
| Slidell, LA | $58,070 | 200 | $62,625 | – |
| Kokomo, IN | $57,960 | 50 | $64,653 | 23% |
| Duluth, MN | $57,790 | 180 | $65,102 | 28% |
| Greenville, SC | $57,780 | 1,600 | $61,956 | 33% |
| The Villages, FL | $57,740 | 50 | $67,592 | 36% |
| Canton, OH | $57,730 | 210 | $64,571 | 24% |
| State College, PA | $57,680 | 80 | $59,610 | 41% |
| Scranton, PA | $57,600 | 400 | $61,567 | 28% |
| Fargo, ND | $57,550 | 310 | $63,332 | 23% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $57,550 | 1,650 | $63,656 | 29% |
| College Station, TX | $57,510 | 180 | $63,232 | 31% |
| Asheville, NC | $57,500 | 590 | $59,582 | 36% |
| Appleton, WI | $57,450 | 180 | $62,163 | 25% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,420 | 310 | $64,544 | 26% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $57,380 | 30 | $58,695 | 33% |
| Tyler, TX | $57,320 | 360 | $62,199 | 27% |
| Rochester, NY | $57,250 | 1,300 | $58,999 | 32% |
| Salem, OR | $57,230 | 480 | $55,215 | 35% |
| Columbia, SC | $57,220 | 1,790 | $61,092 | 33% |
| Medford, OR | $57,200 | 170 | $56,392 | 39% |
| Deltona, FL | $57,110 | 510 | $57,474 | 37% |
| Providence, RI | $57,100 | 2,420 | $56,105 | 46% |
| Great Falls, MT | $57,090 | 70 | $58,950 | 30% |
| Charleston, SC | $57,030 | 1,490 | $56,487 | 43% |
| Davenport, IA | $57,030 | 280 | $64,022 | 21% |
| Sebastian, FL | $56,960 | 190 | $57,940 | 45% |
| Memphis, TN | $56,850 | 1,120 | $61,673 | 29% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $56,780 | 120 | $61,100 | 27% |
| Alexandria, LA | $56,760 | 120 | $66,242 | 22% |
| Rapid City, SD | $56,720 | 150 | $63,616 | 31% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $56,660 | 780 | $60,329 | 31% |
| Eugene, OR | $56,340 | 280 | $55,470 | 38% |
| Traverse City, MI | $56,270 | 120 | $60,264 | 40% |
| Elmira, NY | $56,230 | 50 | $59,567 | 24% |
| Gainesville, GA | $56,200 | 200 | $58,078 | 36% |
| Watertown, NY | $56,190 | 50 | $64,078 | 32% |
| Pensacola, FL | $56,140 | 810 | $57,452 | 37% |
| Norwich, CT | $56,120 | 260 | $55,871 | 45% |
| Sioux City, IA | $56,100 | 80 | $64,890 | 28% |
| Wilmington, NC | $56,060 | 580 | $58,140 | 37% |
| Erie, PA | $56,040 | 170 | $61,616 | 24% |
| Clarksville, TN | $56,010 | 240 | $61,585 | 29% |
| Crestview, FL | $55,960 | 180 | $57,672 | 42% |
| El Paso, TX | $55,830 | 490 | $62,094 | 33% |
| Dubuque, IA | $55,740 | 80 | $63,828 | 23% |
| Albany, OR | $55,580 | 60 | $54,437 | 35% |
| Reno, NV | $55,410 | 770 | $54,854 | 45% |
| Flint, MI | $55,370 | 240 | $59,516 | 23% |
| Corvallis, OR | $55,210 | 50 | $53,078 | 39% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $55,000 | 280 | $60,406 | 32% |
| Kenosha, WI | $54,940 | 110 | $54,333 | – |
| Utica, NY | $54,850 | 170 | $59,183 | 31% |
| Charleston, WV | $54,780 | 480 | $61,747 | 27% |
| Kingsport, TN | $54,210 | 200 | $62,709 | 29% |
| Bay City, MI | $54,170 | 40 | $58,931 | 23% |
| Ogden, UT | $54,020 | 380 | $53,832 | 36% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $53,930 | 300 | $55,021 | 44% |
| Boise, ID | $53,470 | 1,140 | $54,344 | 43% |
| Owensboro, KY | $53,320 | 60 | $60,174 | 28% |
| San Antonio, TX | $53,300 | 2,900 | $56,273 | 32% |
| Ames, IA | $53,180 | 60 | $59,867 | 26% |
| Birmingham, AL | $53,160 | 2,420 | $58,007 | 32% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $53,090 | 170 | $55,978 | 29% |
| Texarkana, TX | $52,590 | 60 | $62,598 | 29% |
| Lawrence, KS | $52,530 | 110 | $58,210 | 36% |
| Durham, NC | $52,500 | 890 | $53,806 | 37% |
| Tucson, AZ | $52,430 | 980 | $54,110 | 34% |
| Columbus, GA | $52,280 | 220 | $58,547 | 31% |
| Lafayette, LA | $52,130 | 470 | $59,776 | 32% |
| Racine, WI | $52,000 | 130 | $54,189 | 34% |
| Huntington, WV | $51,880 | 240 | $58,673 | 25% |
| Niles, MI | $51,820 | 60 | $56,100 | 32% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $51,630 | 210 | $56,068 | 37% |
| Burlington, NC | $51,620 | 110 | $55,389 | 31% |
| Augusta, GA | $51,560 | 420 | $56,103 | 34% |
| Green Bay, WI | $51,520 | 220 | $55,347 | 26% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $51,410 | 70 | $54,683 | 31% |
| St. George, UT | $51,350 | 110 | $52,764 | 43% |
| Panama City, FL | $51,340 | 190 | $52,767 | 41% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $51,290 | 410 | $55,346 | 33% |
| Sebring, FL | $51,230 | 60 | $55,402 | 36% |
| Wheeling, WV | $51,150 | 110 | $57,912 | 20% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $51,140 | 90 | $50,974 | 50% |
| Evansville, IN | $51,110 | 280 | $55,841 | 26% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $51,070 | 130 | $58,168 | 23% |
| Lafayette, IN | $50,950 | 130 | $54,533 | 35% |
| Ocala, FL | $50,900 | 300 | $53,447 | 38% |
| Staunton, VA | $50,890 | 50 | $55,845 | 34% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $50,870 | 110 | $53,608 | 40% |
| Muncie, IN | $50,810 | 50 | $57,642 | 25% |
| Janesville, WI | $50,780 | 80 | $54,193 | 31% |
| Tulsa, OK | $50,740 | 980 | $56,874 | 33% |
| Brunswick, GA | $50,690 | 170 | $57,794 | 40% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $50,680 | 830 | $55,061 | 36% |
| Missoula, MT | $50,670 | 270 | $52,538 | 38% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $50,660 | 140 | $56,690 | 31% |
| Columbus, IN | $50,500 | 50 | $54,299 | 33% |
| Jackson, MS | $50,470 | 960 | $56,677 | 35% |
| Johnson City, TN | $50,450 | 120 | $57,376 | 35% |
| Salisbury, MD | $50,420 | 80 | $52,731 | 46% |
| Topeka, KS | $50,350 | 350 | $56,688 | 30% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $50,340 | 110 | $53,674 | 36% |
| Wichita, KS | $50,240 | 480 | $56,484 | 29% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $50,140 | 230 | $51,011 | 44% |
| Lewiston, ID | $50,040 | 60 | $54,892 | 35% |
| Williamsport, PA | $50,010 | 90 | $54,153 | 26% |
| Lawton, OK | $49,940 | 40 | $58,110 | 27% |
| Morristown, TN | $49,940 | 30 | $57,825 | 37% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $49,890 | 80 | $56,397 | 37% |
| Hinesville, GA | $49,780 | 70 | $52,995 | 42% |
| Knoxville, TN | $49,780 | 770 | $53,776 | 42% |
| Macon, GA | $49,780 | 350 | $56,231 | 29% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $49,760 | 50 | $57,605 | 24% |
| La Crosse, WI | $49,720 | 100 | $54,180 | 33% |
| South Bend, IN | $49,650 | 210 | $53,469 | 30% |
| Lakeland, FL | $49,520 | 630 | $50,977 | 44% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $49,500 | 90 | $50,379 | 46% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $49,500 | 40 | $55,467 | 31% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $49,490 | 100 | $52,292 | 32% |
| Mobile, AL | $49,460 | 520 | $56,142 | 31% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $49,430 | 120 | $55,957 | 45% |
| Columbia, MO | $49,390 | 230 | $55,223 | 35% |
| Casper, WY | $49,360 | 80 | $52,606 | 35% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $49,330 | 380 | $53,999 | 38% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $49,300 | 500 | $52,647 | 42% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $49,290 | 110 | $56,875 | 28% |
| Albany, GA | $49,210 | 140 | $56,132 | 26% |
| Springfield, MO | $49,210 | 530 | $55,551 | 31% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $49,140 | 120 | $55,833 | 31% |
| Rome, GA | $49,140 | 90 | $54,503 | 31% |
| Altoona, PA | $49,110 | 60 | $54,867 | 25% |
| Michigan City, IN | $49,090 | 40 | $53,544 | 29% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $49,050 | 110 | $52,858 | 28% |
| Jackson, TN | $48,970 | 110 | $57,260 | 34% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $48,970 | 220 | $57,040 | 33% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $48,940 | 80 | $52,361 | 43% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $48,910 | 130 | $48,655 | 45% |
| Beaumont, TX | $48,890 | 220 | $54,294 | 32% |
| Athens, GA | $48,840 | 200 | $52,323 | 44% |
| Saginaw, MI | $48,740 | 110 | $53,625 | 26% |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,640 | 40 | $55,223 | 35% |
| Hickory, NC | $48,530 | 200 | $54,845 | 39% |
| Elkhart, IN | $48,410 | 140 | $53,595 | 29% |
| Montgomery, AL | $48,350 | 790 | $53,913 | 34% |
| Sandusky, OH | $48,350 | 50 | $54,155 | 45% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $48,260 | 250 | $50,015 | 38% |
| Florence, SC | $48,230 | 210 | $55,581 | 38% |
| Valdosta, GA | $48,150 | 140 | $54,548 | 33% |
| Lima, OH | $48,140 | 30 | $53,686 | 30% |
| Sherman, TX | $48,110 | 60 | $51,306 | 34% |
| Waterloo, IA | $48,030 | 120 | $55,171 | 26% |
| Longview, TX | $47,990 | 140 | $53,629 | 29% |
| Muskegon, MI | $47,940 | 60 | $51,816 | 32% |
| Manhattan, KS | $47,890 | 70 | $53,116 | 32% |
| Gainesville, FL | $47,840 | 360 | $49,456 | 41% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $47,840 | 170 | $54,379 | 25% |
| Provo, UT | $47,830 | 450 | $48,691 | 44% |
| Dalton, GA | $47,780 | 80 | $53,181 | 35% |
| Little Rock, AR | $47,690 | 680 | $53,366 | 31% |
| Springfield, OH | $47,680 | 40 | $52,696 | 30% |
| Greenville, NC | $47,530 | 200 | $53,766 | 37% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $47,420 | 30 | $51,744 | 29% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $47,360 | 50 | $52,909 | 33% |
| McAllen, TX | $47,330 | 560 | $55,102 | 28% |
| Dothan, AL | $47,260 | 120 | $56,374 | 31% |
| Mansfield, OH | $47,150 | 30 | $53,054 | 23% |
| Monroe, LA | $47,070 | 180 | $56,306 | 30% |
| Laredo, TX | $47,060 | 140 | $54,119 | 29% |
| Youngstown, OH | $47,040 | 160 | $53,825 | 27% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $46,870 | 70 | $50,886 | 40% |
| Sumter, SC | $46,750 | 90 | $53,113 | 38% |
| Pocatello, ID | $46,670 | 70 | $52,494 | 28% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $46,640 | 130 | $49,400 | 37% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $46,620 | 120 | $54,280 | 28% |
| Joplin, MO | $46,620 | 100 | $54,388 | 32% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $46,590 | 60 | $49,512 | 40% |
| Huntsville, AL | $46,580 | 440 | $50,047 | 36% |
| Houma, LA | $46,560 | 80 | $54,710 | 34% |
| Logan, UT | $46,290 | 40 | $48,255 | 37% |
| Gulfport, MS | $46,240 | 290 | $51,374 | 37% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $46,160 | 60 | $53,626 | 26% |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $46,030 | 50 | $54,925 | 30% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $45,860 | 190 | $52,279 | 44% |
| Lubbock, TX | $45,780 | 340 | $50,133 | 35% |
| Wausau, WI | $45,590 | 130 | $49,206 | 25% |
| Florence, AL | $45,540 | 100 | $53,692 | 28% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $45,520 | 70 | $53,007 | 33% |
| Brownsville, TX | $45,480 | 320 | $52,899 | 40% |
| Enid, OK | $45,460 | 40 | $53,946 | 29% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $45,050 | 100 | $51,408 | 35% |
| Daphne, AL | $43,990 | 220 | $46,457 | 46% |
| Auburn, AL | $43,280 | 100 | $49,219 | 44% |
| Decatur, AL | $42,510 | 60 | $48,743 | 31% |
| Anniston, AL | $39,270 | 90 | $45,690 | 29% |
| Gadsden, AL | $37,980 | 70 | $44,342 | 34% |
| Beckley, WV | $35,900 | 40 | $40,625 | 35% |
What the median paralegal salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $62,890 |
| Month | $5,241 |
| Every two weeks | $2,419 |
| Week | $1,209 |
| Hour | $30.24 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a paralegal: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 40,800 |
| Self-employed | 2.1% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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Questions about paralegal pay
How much does a paralegal make an hour?
The median is $30.24 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $21.51 and the top 10% over $48.80.
How much does a paralegal make a month?
About $5,241 a month before taxes at the median salary of $62,890, or $2,419 every two weeks.
What state pays paralegals the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $89,750. Washington ($79,400), Colorado ($78,190), Massachusetts ($77,640) and California ($77,390) follow.
Where do paralegals make the most after cost of living?
The District of Columbia: its median of $89,750 is worth $81,664 at typical US prices. Minnesota, Colorado and Washington come next.
How much do entry-level paralegals make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of paralegals earn under $44,740 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $50,340, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a paralegal?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as an associate's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 23-2011 (Paralegals and Legal Assistants). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.