Paralegal Salary Overview
The Paralegal is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $60,970. Compensation typically ranges from $38,000 for entry-level positions to $92,400 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Paralegal in the US earns between $38,000 and $92,400 per year, with a median of $60,970.
Paralegal Salary by Experience
Entry-level paralegals earn around $39,630, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $82,310 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $36,582 | $18/hr | $30,788 |
| Mid | $60,970 | $29/hr | $49,052 |
| Senior | $83,529 | $40/hr | $63,243 |
| Lead | $85,358 | $41/hr | $64,359 |
Paralegal Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Paralegal in each US state.
Pay for paralegals varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,884 | $4,664 | $48,144 | 21.0% |
| Alaska | $60,970 | $5,278 | $0 | $4,664 | $51,028 | 16.3% |
| Arizona | $60,970 | $5,278 | $1,159 | $4,664 | $49,869 | 18.2% |
| Arkansas | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,457 | $4,664 | $48,571 | 20.3% |
| California | $60,970 | $5,278 | $1,976 | $4,664 | $49,052 | 19.5% |
| Colorado | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,023 | $4,664 | $49,005 | 19.6% |
| Connecticut | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,603 | $4,664 | $48,425 | 20.6% |
| Delaware | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,817 | $4,664 | $48,211 | 20.9% |
| District of Columbia | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,614 | $4,664 | $48,414 | 20.6% |
| Florida | $60,970 | $5,278 | $0 | $4,664 | $51,028 | 16.3% |
| Georgia | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,688 | $4,664 | $48,339 | 20.7% |
| Hawaii | $60,970 | $5,278 | $4,102 | $4,664 | $46,926 | 23.0% |
| Idaho | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,689 | $4,664 | $48,338 | 20.7% |
| Illinois | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,881 | $4,664 | $48,147 | 21.0% |
| Indiana | $60,970 | $5,278 | $1,860 | $4,664 | $49,168 | 19.4% |
| Iowa | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,317 | $4,664 | $48,711 | 20.1% |
| Kansas | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,818 | $4,664 | $48,210 | 20.9% |
| Kentucky | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,312 | $4,664 | $48,716 | 20.1% |
| Louisiana | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,010 | $4,664 | $49,018 | 19.6% |
| Maine | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,882 | $4,664 | $48,145 | 21.0% |
| Maryland | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,722 | $4,664 | $48,305 | 20.8% |
| Massachusetts | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,828 | $4,664 | $48,199 | 20.9% |
| Michigan | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,353 | $4,664 | $48,675 | 20.2% |
| Minnesota | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,695 | $4,664 | $48,333 | 20.7% |
| Mississippi | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,287 | $4,664 | $48,740 | 20.1% |
| Missouri | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,056 | $4,664 | $48,972 | 19.7% |
| Montana | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,490 | $4,664 | $48,538 | 20.4% |
| Nebraska | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,040 | $4,664 | $48,988 | 19.7% |
| Nevada | $60,970 | $5,278 | $0 | $4,664 | $51,028 | 16.3% |
| New Hampshire | $60,970 | $5,278 | $0 | $4,664 | $51,028 | 16.3% |
| New Jersey | $60,970 | $5,278 | $1,876 | $4,664 | $49,152 | 19.4% |
| New Mexico | $60,970 | $5,278 | $1,993 | $4,664 | $49,035 | 19.6% |
| New York | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,885 | $4,664 | $48,143 | 21.0% |
| North Carolina | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,170 | $4,664 | $48,858 | 19.9% |
| North Dakota | $60,970 | $5,278 | $904 | $4,664 | $50,124 | 17.8% |
| Ohio | $60,970 | $5,278 | $959 | $4,664 | $50,069 | 17.9% |
| Oklahoma | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,406 | $4,664 | $48,622 | 20.3% |
| Oregon | $60,970 | $5,278 | $4,810 | $4,664 | $46,218 | 24.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $60,970 | $5,278 | $1,872 | $4,664 | $49,156 | 19.4% |
| Rhode Island | $60,970 | $5,278 | $1,891 | $4,664 | $49,137 | 19.4% |
| South Carolina | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,275 | $4,664 | $48,753 | 20.0% |
| South Dakota | $60,970 | $5,278 | $0 | $4,664 | $51,028 | 16.3% |
| Tennessee | $60,970 | $5,278 | $0 | $4,664 | $51,028 | 16.3% |
| Texas | $60,970 | $5,278 | $0 | $4,664 | $51,028 | 16.3% |
| Utah | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,835 | $4,664 | $48,193 | 21.0% |
| Vermont | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,083 | $4,664 | $48,945 | 19.7% |
| Virginia | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,990 | $4,664 | $48,038 | 21.2% |
| Washington | $60,970 | $5,278 | $0 | $4,664 | $51,028 | 16.3% |
| West Virginia | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,233 | $4,664 | $48,795 | 20.0% |
| Wisconsin | $60,970 | $5,278 | $2,144 | $4,664 | $48,884 | 19.8% |
| Wyoming | $60,970 | $5,278 | $0 | $4,664 | $51,028 | 16.3% |
Top Cities for Paralegal Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for paralegals tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $67,067 |
| San Francisco, CA | $67,067 |
| Hartford, CT | $67,067 |
| New York, NY | $67,067 |
| Denver, CO | $67,067 |
Calculate Paralegal Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Paralegal
Becoming a paralegal typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Paralegal Career Outlook
Employment of paralegals is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Paralegal Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for paralegals in the US is $60,970, with a typical range from $38,000 to $92,400 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for paralegals include DC, CA, CT. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level paralegals can expect to earn around $39,630 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a paralegal can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for paralegals is approximately $29.31, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.