Paralegal earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level paralegal earnings begin at:

$36.99 per hour

$76,930 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level paralegal earnings begin at:

$28.99 per hour

$60,300 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level paralegal earnings begin at:

$21.79 per hour

$45,320 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level paralegal earnings begin at:

$16.46 per hour

$34,240 per year

10th percentile

Starting level paralegal earnings begin at:

$13.44 per hour

$27,950 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Paralegal salary by state

State Name Average Salary
District of Columbia $80,030
Connecticut $60,240
New York $58,750
Washington $57,670
New Jersey $57,437
California $57,290
Nevada $57,120
Minnesota $56,880
Colorado $56,710
Massachusetts $56,660
Texas $56,270
Georgia $54,130
Maryland $53,530
Oregon $53,020
Delaware $52,910
Missouri $51,940
New Hampshire $50,740
Alaska $50,390
Florida $50,120
Virgin Islands, U.S. $50,020
Vermont $49,600
Hawaii $49,425
Wisconsin $48,990
South Dakota $48,690
Louisiana $48,320
Maine $48,260
Virginia $47,810
Michigan $47,420
Illinois $47,272
North Carolina $47,210
Rhode Island $47,190
Nebraska $47,070
Wyoming $46,430
Tennessee $45,770
Oklahoma $45,660
Ohio $45,320
Utah $45,300
Iowa $45,218
New Mexico $45,200
Alabama $44,310
Mississippi $43,930
Idaho $43,757
Arizona $43,007
Montana $42,560
Pennsylvania $42,086
South Carolina $41,850
West Virginia $41,750
North Dakota $41,420
Kansas $40,452
Indiana $39,040
Kentucky $38,452
Guam $38,260
Arkansas $36,101
Puerto Rico $35,740

How much does a Paralegal earn?

The average annual paralegal salary for the entire United States ranges from around $47,000 to $52,000, or close to $22 per hour. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2014-15 Occupational Outlook Handbook, that average will be a little lower in 2014-2015, as the Bureau states the median national annual salary for paralegals as $46,990. The average starting salary is around $39,938 while some may earn as little as $18,000 or as much as $110,000. Actual salaries will often vary, and in some cases by a significant amount of money, based on specialization within the field, region and location, years of experience, the employers’ business, and a variety of other components.

When considering high salaries in certain regions, it is important to take into account what might factor in to that salary – factors such as the median home price, projected paralegal employment growth, taxes for the regions, and cost of living. The average paralegal salary tends to be higher on the east and west coasts, and in the northeast and northwest as well. The Midwest and southern regions tend to yield the lowest average paralegal salary in the United States. States with average paralegal salaries over $50,000 are Hawaii, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C, and Washington. Regardless of the state or region under consideration, paralegals located closer to metropolitan areas tend to earn higher salaries than those working in rural areas. States that have higher living expenses typically payout a higher average paralegal salary as well.

The highest wages are found in law firms and legal firms, and some small firms. Next, family law firms, then smaller wages when employed by private insurance businesses and legal aide groups. A few employers offer regular bonuses and some areas of paralegal employment involve commissions.

How do paralegal salaries compare to similar careers?

Paralegals earn about the same as related careers in Ohio. On average, they make less than sheriffs but more than legislators.

Career Median Salary
Sheriff salary $61K
Police officer salary $61K
Judicial law clerk salary $52K
Probation officer salary $49K
Court reporter salary $50K
Paralegal salary $45K
Bailiff salary $46K
Legal secretary salary $45K
Correctional officer salary $47K
Legislator salary $19K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)