Paralegals and Legal Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Paralegals and Legal Assistants Make?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn a median annual salary of $61,010 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $39,710 at the 10th percentile to $98,990 at the 90th percentile — a range of $59,280. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $99,300.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,710 |
| 25th percentile | $48,190 |
| Median (50th) | $61,010 |
| 75th percentile | $78,280 |
| 90th percentile | $98,990 |
Paralegals and Legal Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $99,300 |
| Washington | $78,010 |
| Massachusetts | $74,990 |
| Colorado | $73,380 |
| California | $72,960 |
| Minnesota | $67,320 |
| New York | $66,390 |
| Oregon | $63,970 |
| Maryland | $63,560 |
| Connecticut | $63,260 |
| Vermont | $63,000 |
| New Jersey | $62,790 |
| Illinois | $62,290 |
| Nevada | $62,090 |
| Michigan | $61,490 |
| Nebraska | $61,410 |
| Arizona | $61,220 |
| Virginia | $61,200 |
| Alaska | $61,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,950 |
| Hawaii | $60,890 |
| New Hampshire | $60,640 |
| Florida | $60,280 |
| Delaware | $60,000 |
| North Dakota | $59,910 |
| Texas | $59,700 |
| Ohio | $58,870 |
| Missouri | $58,730 |
| Maine | $58,510 |
| South Dakota | $57,300 |
| New Mexico | $56,620 |
| Wisconsin | $56,520 |
| Utah | $55,630 |
| Tennessee | $55,270 |
| Georgia | $55,120 |
| Rhode Island | $54,540 |
| Montana | $54,230 |
| Idaho | $54,020 |
| Iowa | $53,280 |
| Indiana | $50,690 |
| Oklahoma | $50,200 |
| Wyoming | $49,980 |
| West Virginia | $49,620 |
| North Carolina | $49,390 |
| Kentucky | $49,000 |
| Kansas | $48,910 |
| South Carolina | $48,640 |
| Louisiana | $47,580 |
| Arkansas | $46,940 |
| Alabama | $46,060 |
| Mississippi | $39,120 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and Legal Assistant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$39,710 – $48,190 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$61,010 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$78,280 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $98,990+ |
How to Earn More as a Paralegals and Legal Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Paralegals and Legal Assistants in District of Columbia earn $99,300 — $38,290 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($78,280) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Paralegals and Legal Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistantthis career | $61,010 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigator | $76,790 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,420 |
| Accountants and Auditor | $81,680 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $58,040 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Paralegals and Legal Assistant requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 23-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.