The broad salary range for paralegals nationally runs from $24,000 at the 10th percentile to $48,000 at the 90th percentile. Most candidates you will encounter fall between $30,000 and $48,000, so that band is the most practical range to plan your budget around. Entry-level roles in lower-cost markets will sit near the bottom of that range, while experienced paralegals in specialized practice areas will push toward the top.
Paralegal salary in the US (2026)
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Paralegal salary in the US (2026)
The average paralegal salary in the US is $69,700. The median salary of $44,740 is the more reliable anchor for most hiring decisions, because it reflects what the typical paralegal earns rather than being pulled upward by high earners at large law firms. The wide gap between the median and average tells you that a small share of senior paralegals commands significantly higher pay, so your offer strategy should depend heavily on the experience level and practice area you are hiring for.
Paralegal salary in the US (2026)
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $69,700 |
Median annual salary | $44,740 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 392,880 employed paralegals across the US.
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Paralegal salary percentiles
Percentile | Annual salary |
10th percentile | $24,000 |
25th percentile | $30,000 |
75th percentile | — |
90th percentile | $48,000 |
Most paralegal offers will land between $30,000 and $48,000, so anchoring your initial offer in that range keeps you competitive for the majority of candidates. The national average of $69,700 runs well above the 90th percentile of $48,000, which means a small group of very high earners is pulling the average up sharply — use the median of $44,740 as your primary benchmark rather than the average when setting offers.
How paralegal salaries compare across states
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
Washington | $83,740 | $50,470 |
California | $81,320 | $50,460 |
Massachusetts | $81,160 | $49,770 |
Colorado | $80,760 | $56,930 |
New York | $76,890 | $48,330 |
Illinois | $72,310 | $46,860 |
Georgia | $71,210 | $39,530 |
Virginia | $70,740 | $47,860 |
Texas | $65,480 | $39,190 |
Florida | $63,250 | $38,830 |
If you are hiring paralegals in Washington, California, Massachusetts, or Colorado, budget meaningfully above the national median of $44,740, since median salaries in those states range from $49,770 to $56,930. Employers in Texas and Florida can expect to hire closer to $38,830 to $39,190 at the median, which gives you more flexibility in those markets.
Frequently asked questions about Paralegal salary in the US
What is the salary range for a Paralegal in the US?
What is the average Paralegal salary in the US?
The average paralegal salary nationally is $69,700, but this figure sits above the 90th percentile of $48,000, which signals that a small number of very high earners are pulling the average up. For most hiring decisions, the median of $44,740 is the more useful benchmark. Set your offer relative to the median unless you are specifically competing for senior or highly specialized talent.
What do the top-earning Paralegals make nationally?
The 90th percentile for paralegals nationally is $48,000. The national average of $69,700 exceeds that figure, which means the very top earners sit well above $48,000 and are skewing the average upward. When competing for senior paralegal talent, expect candidates at that level to have compensation expectations that exceed the published 90th percentile.
Which states pay the most for Paralegals?
Washington, California, Massachusetts, and Colorado pay the most for paralegals, with average salaries ranging from $80,760 to $83,740. Colorado stands out because its median of $56,930 is the highest among all states in this comparison, meaning high pay there is more broadly distributed rather than concentrated at the top. If you are hiring in any of these four states, plan for offers above the national median of $44,740.
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Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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