SOC 232011

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action. Excludes "Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants" (43-6012).

National Median

$61,010

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$61,010

Entry Level (10th pct)

$39,710

Experienced (90th pct)

$98,990

Total Employed

367,220

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$39,710 - $48,190
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$48,190 - $78,280
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$78,280 - $98,990

Highest Paying Locations for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

District of Columbia

$99,300

+62.8% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$97,740

+60.2% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$85,230

+39.7% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$84,950

+39.2% vs national

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

$80,550

+32.0% vs national

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
District of Columbia	$99,300	5,880
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$97,740	2,050
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$85,230	7,670
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$84,950	6,420
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$80,550	11,080
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$79,240	3,660
Midland, MI	$78,120	90
Washington	$78,010	9,070
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$77,990	400
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$77,550	3,690
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$77,470	6,050
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$77,170	2,930
Napa, CA	$76,350	60
Vallejo, CA	$75,560	180
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$75,380	830
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$75,080	280
Massachusetts	$74,990	7,520
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	$74,960	180
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$74,750	5,490
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$74,470	3,350
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$73,470	29,300
Colorado	$73,380	5,430
California	$72,960	45,740
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area	$72,560	30
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	$72,460	60
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$71,450	250
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$70,130	590
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$69,060	480
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$68,990	100
Boulder, CO	$68,980	320
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV	$68,390	300
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$68,390	3,400
Worcester, MA	$68,180	360
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$67,390	160
Minnesota	$67,320	6,640
Salinas, CA	$67,260	240
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$66,930	10,250
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$66,850	830
New York	$66,390	28,510
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$65,850	180
Greeley, CO	$65,540	80
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$64,750	6,580
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$64,500	110
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$64,490	4,320
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$64,410	340
Carson City, NV	$64,380	90
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$64,010	2,120
Rochester, MN	$64,010	150
Oregon	$63,970	4,910
Omaha, NE-IA	$63,720	940

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants?

The national median annual salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants is $61,010, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Paralegals and Legal Assistantss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Paralegals and Legal Assistantss is District of Columbia, with a median salary of $99,300.

How much can an experienced Paralegals and Legal Assistants make?

Top-earning Paralegals and Legal Assistantss (90th percentile) make $98,990 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.