SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — South Florida
South Florida nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in South Florida, FL is $56,700 per year, 9.8% below the national median of $62,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in South Florida, FL is $56,700 per year, 9.8% below the national median of $62,890. Pay ranges from under $37,140 at the tenth percentile to more than $75,430 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $47,250 to $62,210.
Employment stands at 220, or 2.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Naples leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $64,660. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 122nd of 284 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,140 | −40.9% |
| 25th | $47,250 | −24.9% |
| Median (50th) | $56,700 | −9.8% |
| 75th | $62,210 | −1.1% |
| 90th | $75,430 | +19.9% |
| Mean | $56,740 | −9.8% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naples | $64,660 | 520 | |
| 2 | Jacksonville | $62,480 | 2,170 | |
| 3 | Miami | $62,090 | 17,820 | |
| 4 | Cape Coral | $60,700 | 910 | |
| 5 | Port St. Lucie | $60,370 | 490 | |
| 6 | Tampa | $60,150 | 6,630 | |
| 7 | North Port | $60,070 | 990 | |
| 8 | Orlando | $59,470 | 5,480 | |
| 9 | Palm Bay | $58,250 | 610 | |
| 10 | Wildwood | $57,740 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Florida run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $56,700 buys what $54,836 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 12.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$56,700as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,836US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $56,700 a year, 9.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,140 to $75,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 220 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Naples, at $64,660.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in South Florida, FL?
The median annual wage is $56,700, or $27.26 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 South Florida, FL is 9.8% 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 South Florida, FL earns more than $75,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,140 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 Naples, at $64,660 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 220 jobs in this occupation in South Florida, FL. 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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