How much does a paralegal make?
The median paralegal in the United States earns $62,890 per year, about $30.24 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all paralegals earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 23-2011.
Paralegal salary range
Pay for paralegals spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,740 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $101,500. The average (mean) wage of $69,700 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,740 | $21.51 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,340 | $24.20 | |
| Median (50th) | $62,890 | $30.24 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,080 | $38.50 | |
| 90th percentile | $101,500 | $48.80 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for paralegals and legal assistants (SOC 23-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Paralegal salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Paralegals earn the most in District of Columbia at $89,750 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $46,180. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $89,750 | 6,400 |
| Washington | $79,400 | 9,460 |
| Colorado | $78,190 | 5,620 |
| Massachusetts | $77,640 | 7,800 |
| California | $77,390 | 47,130 |
| Minnesota | $75,570 | 7,400 |
| New Jersey | $71,500 | 12,010 |
| Alaska | $68,700 | 570 |
| New York | $68,410 | 34,220 |
| Vermont | $67,160 | 660 |
| Maryland | $65,640 | 6,460 |
| Nevada | $64,680 | 3,620 |
| Virginia | $63,990 | 10,250 |
| Connecticut | $63,820 | 5,210 |
| Illinois | $63,670 | 14,130 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,370 | 14,670 |
| Nebraska | $63,250 | 1,630 |
| Utah | $63,220 | 3,250 |
| Delaware | $63,110 | 2,480 |
| Hawaii | $62,840 | 1,170 |
| Maine | $62,420 | 1,210 |
| Georgia | $62,400 | 14,160 |
| Texas | $62,310 | 29,540 |
| Michigan | $62,170 | 7,730 |
| New Hampshire | $62,040 | 1,430 |
| Arizona | $61,630 | 7,890 |
| Oregon | $61,490 | 4,870 |
| Missouri | $61,410 | 7,130 |
| Florida | $61,000 | 40,950 |
| Ohio | $60,420 | 9,270 |
| Louisiana | $60,250 | 4,890 |
| New Mexico | $59,840 | 1,740 |
| Kentucky | $59,830 | 3,540 |
| North Dakota | $59,430 | 730 |
| West Virginia | $59,000 | 1,660 |
| Tennessee | $58,820 | 6,080 |
| Wisconsin | $58,500 | 4,780 |
| South Dakota | $58,320 | 600 |
| North Carolina | $57,500 | 13,650 |
| Montana | $57,290 | 1,010 |
| Indiana | $57,030 | 5,910 |
| Rhode Island | $56,250 | 2,070 |
| Kansas | $55,000 | 2,210 |
| Iowa | $54,550 | 2,980 |
| South Carolina | $53,880 | 7,420 |
| Oklahoma | $53,170 | 3,110 |
| Idaho | $49,690 | 2,030 |
| Wyoming | $49,490 | 600 |
| Arkansas | $47,420 | 1,610 |
| Alabama | $47,260 | 5,700 |
| Mississippi | $46,180 | 2,270 |
State median wages for paralegals and legal assistants (SOC 23-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for paralegals
The BLS projects employment of paralegals to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 404,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 403,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 40,800 openings a year for paralegals. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a paralegal
The typical entry-level education for paralegals is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a paralegal earns
Firm size, practice area, years of experience, and metro area drive the spread. Large firms and major markets pay far above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $89,750) and the lowest (Mississippi, $46,180) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 392,880 people work as paralegals in the United States. At $62,890 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Paralegal salary FAQ
How much does a paralegal make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a paralegal is $30.24. The middle half of paralegals earn between $24.20 and $38.50 per hour.
What is the highest paralegal salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of paralegals earn more than $101,500 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a paralegal make a year?
The median annual salary for a paralegal is $62,890. The average (mean) wage of $69,700 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a paralegal a well paid job?
At $62,890 a year, a paralegal earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 392,880 people work as paralegals in the United States.
Which state pays paralegals the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for paralegals at $89,750 a year. Washington ($79,400) and Colorado ($78,190) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a paralegal a good career?
Employment of paralegals is projected to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 40,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a paralegal?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for paralegals as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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