Home Salary Guide Paralegal

Legal

Paralegal Salary

Paralegals assist lawyers by conducting legal research, drafting documents, and organizing case files.

Median: $59,200 Growth: 4% BLS Data

Paralegal Salary Range

Entry Level

$42,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$58,000

5-10 years

Senior Level

$80,000

10+ years

Salary Percentiles

10th Percentile $38,290

25th Percentile $46,330

Median (50th) $59,200

75th Percentile $75,470

90th Percentile $91,000

Top Paying States for Paralegals

1 California

$72,000

2 Massachusetts

$68,000

3 New York

$67,000

4 Connecticut

$66,000

5 Colorado

$65,000

Job Outlook & Education

Growth Rate

+4%

Stable

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies

How Much Do Paralegals Make?

The median annual salary for a paralegal in the United States is $59,200 as of 2026. This means half of paralegals earn more than this amount, and half earn less.

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-2 years): $42,000
Mid Career (5-10 years): $58,000
Senior Level (10+ years): $80,000

Calculate Your Take-Home

See exactly how much you'll take home after taxes with our income calculator.

Calculate $59,200 Salary

Hourly Equivalent

Based on 2,080 work hours/year

$28/hr

See $28/hr Breakdown

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What Can a Paralegal Afford?

Based on median salary of $59,200

Max Rent $1,500/mo

Max Car Payment $600/mo

Monthly Savings $786/mo

See Full Budget Breakdown

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