Paralegal salary in the United States
National median pay
$62,890/year
about $30.24 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $50,340 – $80,080
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| 25th | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| Median (50th) | $62,890 | $30.24 |
| 75th | $80,080 | $38.50 |
| 90th (top earners) | $101,500 | $48.80 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Jose ($99,250). Lowest of the cities we track: San Antonio ($53,300).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $99,250 | $77,610 – $119,120 |
| Seattle, WA | $92,900 | $74,470 – $108,160 |
| San Francisco, CA | $84,030 | $74,050 – $103,060 |
| Washington, DC | $81,590 | $64,180 – $106,990 |
| Denver, CO | $80,500 | $68,120 – $97,800 |
| Boston, MA | $79,850 | $63,850 – $98,470 |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,550 | $61,740 – $97,910 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $77,520 | $59,690 – $98,440 |
| San Diego, CA | $76,300 | $59,410 – $98,260 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $76,220 | $60,310 – $86,950 |
| Portland, OR | $75,430 | $59,360 – $82,800 |
| New York, NY | $75,330 | $61,040 – $97,720 |
| Chicago, IL | $70,550 | $58,740 – $85,040 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $70,430 | $60,110 – $81,660 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $66,720 | $60,970 – $78,040 |
| Baltimore, MD | $65,640 | $51,660 – $81,560 |
| Austin, TX | $64,140 | $46,800 – $79,100 |
| Atlanta, GA | $64,080 | $50,700 – $83,250 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $63,620 | $50,400 – $79,060 |
| Detroit, MI | $63,400 | $59,040 – $78,620 |
| Dallas, TX | $63,220 | $48,760 – $80,700 |
| Houston, TX | $62,730 | $49,840 – $80,230 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $62,620 | $49,980 – $80,120 |
| Miami, FL | $62,090 | $50,330 – $77,730 |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,970 | $47,790 – $76,580 |
| Nashville, TN | $60,800 | $47,530 – $75,550 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,150 | $48,130 – $76,230 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,870 | $49,110 – $76,110 |
| Orlando, FL | $59,470 | $47,040 – $70,880 |
| San Antonio, TX | $53,300 | $44,220 – $67,650 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for paralegals, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $50,340 ($24.20/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $50,340 to $80,080 ($24.20 to $38.50/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $80,080 ($38.50/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Large law firms usually pay more than small firms or in-house roles, but often expect longer hours.
- Ask whether overtime is paid. Many paralegal roles qualify for it.
- A paralegal certificate or experience in a specific practice area can support a higher offer.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Paralegals and Legal Assistants (SOC 23-2011). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.