SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $62,690, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA tracks the national median of $62,890 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $62,690, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA tracks the national median of $62,890 closely. Pay ranges from under $48,380 at the tenth percentile to more than $84,370 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $59,150 to $64,280.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.31 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $99,250. Of the 350 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 163rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,380 | −23.1% |
| 25th | $59,150 | −5.9% |
| Median (50th) | $62,690 | −0.3% |
| 75th | $64,280 | +2.2% |
| 90th | $84,370 | +34.2% |
| Mean | $65,390 | +4.0% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $99,250 | 2,030 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $84,030 | 7,630 | |
| 3 | Santa Maria | $80,930 | 360 | |
| 4 | Vallejo | $79,280 | 160 | |
| 5 | Sacramento | $78,550 | 2,590 | |
| 6 | Santa Rosa | $78,160 | 290 | |
| 7 | Los Angeles | $77,520 | 22,240 | |
| 8 | Napa | $77,020 | 80 | |
| 9 | San Diego | $76,300 | 4,440 | |
| 10 | San Luis Obispo | $75,200 | 280 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $62,690 buys what $56,631 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,690as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,631US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,690 a year, 0.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,380 to $84,370 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $99,250.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA?
The median annual wage is $62,690, or $30.14 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 North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA is 0.3% 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 North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA earns more than $84,370 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,380 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 San Jose, at $99,250 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California, CA. 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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