The national salary range for paralegals runs from $44,740 at the 10th percentile to $101,500 at the 90th percentile. For most hiring decisions, the middle of the market sits between $50,340 and $80,080, which covers the 25th through 75th percentiles. Setting your offer within that band gives you a defensible position for the majority of candidates you will encounter.
Paralegal salary in the US (2026)
The average paralegal salary in the US is $69,700. The median salary of $62,890 is the more reliable anchor for most hiring decisions, because it reflects what the typical paralegal earns without being pulled upward by high earners at large law firms. Paralegal pay varies widely by state, so your offer will need to account for local market rates to stay competitive.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $69,700 |
Median annual salary | $62,890 |
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 | $44,740 |
25th percentile | $50,340 |
75th percentile | $80,080 |
90th percentile | $101,500 |
If you want to attract experienced paralegals rather than entry-level candidates, plan to offer at least $80,080, which puts you at the 75th percentile nationally. The full range runs from $44,740 at the 10th percentile to $101,500 at the 90th percentile, giving you clear benchmarks for structuring offers across seniority levels.
How paralegal salaries compare across states
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
Washington | $83,740 | $79,400 |
California | $81,320 | $77,390 |
Massachusetts | $81,160 | $77,640 |
Colorado | $80,760 | $78,190 |
New York | $76,890 | $68,410 |
Illinois | $72,310 | $63,670 |
Georgia | $71,210 | $62,400 |
Virginia | $70,740 | $63,990 |
Texas | $65,480 | $62,310 |
Florida | $63,250 | $61,000 |
If you are hiring in Washington, California, Massachusetts, or Colorado, budget meaningfully above the national average of $69,700, as average salaries in those states range from $80,760 to $83,740. Employers in Texas and Florida can generally hire at or below the national average, with mean salaries of $65,480 and $63,250 respectively.
Frequently asked questions about Paralegal salary in the US
What is the salary range for a Paralegal in the US?
What do the top-earning Paralegals make nationally?
Paralegals at the 90th percentile earn $101,500 annually. When you are competing for senior paralegal talent, expect candidates with specialized experience or credentials to anchor their expectations near that figure. Offers below $80,080, the 75th percentile, are unlikely to close candidates at the top of the market.
What is the average Paralegal salary in the US?
The average paralegal salary in the US is $69,700 per year. The median of $62,890 is the better benchmark for setting most offers, since the average is pulled upward by high earners at large firms. Use the median as your starting anchor and adjust upward based on experience and location.
Which states pay the most for Paralegals?
Washington leads all states with an average paralegal salary of $83,740, followed closely by California at $81,320 and Massachusetts at $81,160. If you are hiring in any of these states, your compensation budget should sit well above the national average of $69,700 to attract qualified candidates.
More salary data
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, for Paralegals and Legal Assistants (SOC 23-2011).
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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