The average salary for a paralegals and legal assistant in the United States is $66,460, but the range typically falls between $48,180 and $77,600. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $31.95, with a range between $23.16 and $37.31.
There are approximately 354,890 people employed as a paralegals and legal assistant in the United States. With California, Florida, New York employing the highest number of paralegals and legal assistants.The state with the best pay for a paralegals and legal assistant is District of Columbia, with an average annual salary of $94,290, while Mississippi has the lowest average annual salary of $46,620.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Median | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,600 | $37.31 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,830 | $47.51 |
The salary of a paralegals and legal assistant can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a paralegals and legal assistant in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for paralegals and legal assistants are District of Columbia, California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut while the worst states are Mississippi, Kansas, Alabama, South Carolina, Idaho.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,210 | $53,450 | $74,820 |
| Alaska | $45,850 | $63,180 | $92,640 |
| Arizona | $38,030 | $65,400 | $93,640 |
| California | $48,320 | $79,210 | $117,120 |
| Colorado | $47,180 | $72,220 | $101,830 |
| Connecticut | $48,030 | $71,140 | $96,530 |
| Delaware | $47,760 | $71,360 | $102,510 |
| District of Columbia | $58,080 | $94,290 | $126,940 |
| Florida | $38,600 | $61,830 | $86,030 |
| Georgia | $35,880 | $61,210 | $90,810 |
| Hawaii | $43,760 | $64,250 | $86,240 |
| Idaho | $30,240 | $52,980 | $77,540 |
| Illinois | $45,540 | $63,340 | $96,030 |
| Indiana | $37,440 | $56,480 | $81,850 |
| Iowa | $38,180 | $59,610 | $83,700 |
| Kansas | $36,210 | $53,310 | $81,380 |
| Kentucky | $37,690 | $53,910 | $74,490 |
| Louisiana | $35,580 | $53,980 | $79,930 |
| Maine | $45,010 | $59,800 | $77,280 |
| Maryland | $43,480 | $68,070 | $94,100 |
| Massachusetts | $47,690 | $74,710 | $102,520 |
| Michigan | $40,450 | $63,460 | $85,750 |
| Minnesota | $39,790 | $68,410 | $97,230 |
| Mississippi | $35,290 | $46,620 | $67,020 |
| Missouri | $37,950 | $61,100 | $80,660 |
| Montana | $45,720 | $58,310 | $79,800 |
| Nebraska | $42,020 | $60,580 | $84,050 |
| Nevada | $33,810 | $61,200 | $81,500 |
| New Hampshire | $38,240 | $59,810 | $81,700 |
| New Jersey | $42,920 | $70,380 | $99,210 |
| New Mexico | $42,010 | $56,840 | $74,480 |
| New York | $50,010 | $78,850 | $128,400 |
| North Carolina | $37,650 | $57,860 | $83,880 |
| North Dakota | $40,260 | $55,940 | $73,680 |
| Ohio | $36,030 | $57,360 | $81,220 |
| Oklahoma | $37,340 | $56,430 | $79,000 |
| Oregon | $47,650 | $69,100 | $95,190 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,570 | $65,940 | $95,260 |
| Rhode Island | $49,980 | $70,220 | $94,450 |
| South Carolina | $35,560 | $50,820 | $68,540 |
| South Dakota | $44,550 | $59,560 | $75,840 |
| Tennessee | $35,360 | $56,440 | $83,430 |
| Texas | $37,690 | $63,720 | $97,280 |
| Utah | $39,750 | $57,440 | $80,620 |
| Vermont | $48,420 | $61,990 | $77,190 |
| Virginia | $38,170 | $63,820 | $93,670 |
| Washington | $47,840 | $75,560 | $107,500 |
| West Virginia | $32,610 | $56,870 | $83,200 |
| Wisconsin | $40,670 | $57,750 | $79,370 |
| Wyoming | $39,000 | $56,870 | $82,400 |
Even between cities, the salary of a paralegals and legal assistant can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for paralegals and legal assistants is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area, CA with an average salary of $103,850.The city with the lowest average salary for paralegals and legal assistants is Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area, MS with an average salary of $36,060.
Areas with highest average salaries for paralegals and legal assistants
Areas with lowest average salaries for paralegals and legal assistants
The number of paralegals and legal assistants in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of paralegals and legal assistants has increased by 22,170. On average, the number of paralegals and legal assistants has been increasing by 1.7% each year. The salary of paralegals and legal assistants has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of paralegals and legal assistants has increased by $9,850. On average, the salary of paralegals and legal assistants has been increasing by 4.3% each year.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants are part of the legal occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for paralegals and legal assistants compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all legal occupations jobs here.
$139,000 per year
$64,880 per year
$176,470 per year
$82,960 per year
$59,440 per year
$95,370 per year
