Maryland's average paralegal salary of $73,060 places it above Virginia ($70,740), Pennsylvania ($68,510), and New Jersey ($72,550), but below New York ($76,890) and the District of Columbia ($95,400). For most hiring situations in Maryland, you can set competitive offers without reaching the compensation levels required in DC or New York. If you recruit candidates who have experience in those higher-paying markets, expect some upward pressure on your offers.
Paralegal salary in Maryland (2026)
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The average paralegal salary in Maryland is $73,060 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $65,640 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Maryland employs 6,460 paralegals, and the $7,420 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior paralegals in Maryland typically earn around $48,260, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed $108,380. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a paralegal hire in Maryland, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $65,640 |
Average Annual Salary | $73,060 |
vs. National Average | 4.8% above the national mean of $69,700 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 6,460 employed paralegals across Maryland.
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Paralegal salary percentiles in Maryland
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $48,260 |
25th Percentile | $51,660 |
75th Percentile | $84,700 |
90th Percentile | $108,380 |
When setting an offer for a paralegal in Maryland, the $51,660 to $84,700 band covers the middle half of the market and gives you a defensible range for most mid-level hires. Senior specialists with deep experience or niche practice area knowledge typically reach or exceed the $108,380 threshold, so budget accordingly if you are competing for that tier of candidate.
Paralegal salary by city in Maryland
City | Average Annual Salary |
Washington DC | $87,900 |
Baltimore | $71,010 |
Hagerstown | $69,580 |
Salisbury | $62,550 |
Location should factor directly into your compensation budget, since paralegal pay varies by more than $25,000 across Maryland metro areas. Roles tied to the Washington DC metro command an average of $87,900, while positions in Salisbury average $62,550, a difference that reflects both market demand and cost of labor in each region. If you are hiring in or near the DC corridor, plan to offer meaningfully above the statewide average to stay competitive.
How Maryland compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Maryland | $73,060 | $65,640 |
District of Columbia | $95,400 | $89,750 |
New York | $76,890 | $68,410 |
New Jersey | $72,550 | $71,500 |
Virginia | $70,740 | $63,990 |
Pennsylvania | $68,510 | $63,370 |
Maryland sits in a mid-range position among its regional peers, which means your compensation offers can be competitive without matching the highest-cost markets nearby. The District of Columbia averages $95,400, well above Maryland's $73,060, but Virginia and Pennsylvania both come in below Maryland at $70,740 and $68,510 respectively. If you are hiring across state lines or benchmarking against regional firms, Maryland's figures give you a reasonable anchor that is neither the floor nor the ceiling of the region.
Frequently asked questions about paralegal salary in Maryland
How does Maryland compare to other states for paralegal salary?
What do the top-earning paralegals make in Maryland?
Paralegals at the 90th percentile in Maryland earn $108,380 per year. This figure typically reflects senior professionals with specialized practice area expertise or significant years of experience. When competing for that tier of candidate, budget above the statewide median and be prepared to negotiate on total compensation, not just base salary.
What is the salary range for a paralegal in Maryland?
The salary range for a paralegal in Maryland runs from $48,260 at the 10th percentile to $108,380 at the 90th percentile. The middle half of the market falls between $51,660 and $84,700, which is the most useful band for setting offers on mid-level roles. Use the seniority and specialization of the specific position to determine where within that range your offer should land.
What is the average paralegal salary in Maryland?
The average paralegal salary in Maryland is $73,060 per year, which sits 4.8% above the national mean of $69,700. The median of $65,640 is lower because a segment of higher-compensated roles pulls the average up, so use the median as your baseline when budgeting for a typical hire. If the role you are filling involves specialized legal work or significant experience requirements, the average figure becomes more relevant as a benchmark.
Paralegal salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 23-2011 (Paralegals and Legal Assistants).
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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