Paralegal Salary
Paralegals assist lawyers with legal research, document preparation, and case management. They play a vital role in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies.
Paralegal Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level paralegals earn around $40,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $60,000. Senior-level paralegals can earn $85,000 or more.
Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for paralegals varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $38,400, while the top 10% earn $92,400.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,800 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $59,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,400 |
Paralegal Salary by State
Paralegal salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $100,640, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $49,136.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $100,640 | Details → |
| #2 Massachusetts | $84,064 | Details → |
| #3 California | $81,696 | Details → |
| #4 New York | $79,328 | Details → |
| #5 Alaska | $73,408 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $72,816 | Details → |
| #7 Connecticut | $71,040 | Details → |
| #8 Maryland | $68,080 | Details → |
| #9 Washington | $68,080 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $65,120 | Details → |
| #11 Virginia | $64,528 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $63,344 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $63,344 | Details → |
| #14 Delaware | $62,752 | Details → |
| #15 Colorado | $62,160 | Details → |
| #16 Illinois | $59,792 | Details → |
| #17 Vermont | $59,792 | Details → |
| #18 Pennsylvania | $59,200 | Details → |
| #19 Minnesota | $58,608 | Details → |
| #20 Florida | $58,016 | Details → |
| #21 Maine | $58,016 | Details → |
| #22 Arizona | $57,424 | Details → |
| #23 Nevada | $57,424 | Details → |
| #24 Utah | $57,424 | Details → |
| #25 Georgia | $56,240 | Details → |
| #26 Montana | $56,240 | Details → |
| #27 North Carolina | $56,240 | Details → |
| #28 Idaho | $55,648 | Details → |
| #29 New Mexico | $55,056 | Details → |
| #30 Nebraska | $54,464 | Details → |
| #31 Texas | $54,464 | Details → |
| #32 Wisconsin | $54,464 | Details → |
| #33 Wyoming | $54,464 | Details → |
| #34 Louisiana | $53,872 | Details → |
| #35 Indiana | $53,280 | Details → |
| #36 Michigan | $53,280 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $53,280 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $53,280 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $52,688 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $52,688 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $52,688 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $52,096 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $52,096 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $51,504 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $51,504 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $51,504 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $50,912 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $49,728 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $49,728 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $49,136 | Details → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Conduct legal research and analyze case law
- ● Draft legal documents, briefs, and contracts
- ● Organize and maintain case files and databases
- ● Assist attorneys with trial preparation
- ● File documents with courts and government agencies
Top Skills
Education Required
Associate's degree
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 4% growth over the next decade