Paralegal Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$61,000
national median salary
$48,000 to $78,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $62,890 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants (SOC 23-2011) across the United States, based on 392,880 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$44,740
25th percentile
$50,340
Median
$62,890
75th percentile
$80,080
90th percentile
$101,500
Workers surveyed
392,880
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$61,010
May 2025 release
$62,890
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Paralegals and Legal Assistants (SOC 23-2011) rather than Paralegalspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 23-2011Highest Paying
$85,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$64,000
Minneapolis, MN
Lowest Paying
$48,000
Wichita, KS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 23-2011. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Paralegal salary in the United States at $61,000 in 2026, within a range of $48,000 to $78,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $85,000, while Minneapolis offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Specialization in complex areas like IP, corporate transactions, or litigation support commands a premium.
Paralegal salary by city.
Skills that increase Paralegal pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Paralegals based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $8,540 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$8,540 per year
≈ +$7,930 per year
≈ +$7,320 per year
≈ +$6,710 per year
≈ +$6,710 per year
≈ +$6,100 per year
≈ +$6,100 per year
≈ +$5,490 per year
What you should know.
Specialization in complex areas like IP, corporate transactions, or litigation support commands a premium. Paralegals at large law firms or in major metro areas earn 20 to 35% more than those at small firms or in rural regions. Certification also boosts pay.
Entry-level paralegals start at $46,000 to $52,000. Senior paralegals with specialization earn $60,000 to $76,000 after five to eight years. Paralegal managers or litigation support directors can reach $80,000 to $95,000 in large firms.
Most paralegal roles include standard benefits with modest annual bonuses of $1,000 to $5,000. BigLaw paralegals receive overtime pay, meal allowances, and occasional performance bonuses tied to case outcomes.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Paralegals typically earn $55,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Paralegal pay.
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