SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI · 10 metro areas compared
At $62,370, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Grand Rapids, MI tracks the national median of $62,890 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $62,370, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Grand Rapids, MI tracks the national median of $62,890 closely. Pay ranges from under $46,800 at the tenth percentile to more than $94,570 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $49,360 to $78,900.
The area has 870 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.57 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Detroit records the highest median at $63,400. Of the 572 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 226th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,800 | −25.6% |
| 25th | $49,360 | −21.5% |
| Median (50th) | $62,370 | −0.8% |
| 75th | $78,900 | +25.5% |
| 90th | $94,570 | +50.4% |
| Mean | $68,090 | +8.3% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Grand Rapids run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $62,370 goes as far as $64,834 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,834US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,370 a year, 0.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,800 to $94,570 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 870 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Detroit, at $63,400.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median annual wage is $62,370, or $29.99 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,890, so pay in Grand Rapids, MI is 0.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Grand Rapids, MI earns more than $94,570 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,800 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Detroit, at $63,400 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 870 jobs in this occupation in Grand Rapids, MI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
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