SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · United States
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants across the United States is $62,890 per year, measured over 392,880 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $89,750.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Pay for this occupation varies by 94.3% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $89,750 and Mississippi pays $46,180.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $89,750 | 6,400 | |
| 2 | Washington | $79,400 | 9,460 | |
| 3 | Colorado | $78,190 | 5,620 | |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $77,640 | 7,800 | |
| 5 | California | $77,390 | 47,130 | |
| 6 | Minnesota | $75,570 | 7,400 | |
| 7 | New Jersey | $71,500 | 12,010 | |
| 8 | Alaska | $68,700 | 570 | |
| 9 | New York | $68,410 | 34,220 | |
| 10 | Vermont | $67,160 | 660 |
States with the most Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 47,130 | $77,390 | |
| 2 | Florida | 40,950 | $61,000 | |
| 3 | New York | 34,220 | $68,410 | |
| 4 | Texas | 29,540 | $62,310 | |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 14,670 | $63,370 | |
| 6 | Georgia | 14,160 | $62,400 | |
| 7 | Illinois | 14,130 | $63,670 | |
| 8 | North Carolina | 13,650 | $57,500 | |
| 9 | New Jersey | 12,010 | $71,500 | |
| 10 | Virginia | 10,250 | $63,990 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $99,250 | 2,030 |
| 2 | Seattle | $92,900 | 6,310 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $84,030 | 7,630 |
| 4 | Washington | $81,590 | 12,990 |
| 5 | Santa Maria | $80,930 | 360 |
| 6 | Denver | $80,500 | 3,740 |
| 7 | Boston | $79,850 | 6,300 |
| 8 | Vallejo | $79,280 | 160 |
| 9 | Sacramento | $78,550 | 2,590 |
| 10 | Santa Rosa | $78,160 | 290 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.