SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — Southwest Maine
Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
At $59,210, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Southwest Maine, ME tracks the national median of $62,890 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $59,210, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Southwest Maine, ME tracks the national median of $62,890 closely. Pay ranges from under $39,420 at the tenth percentile to more than $72,110 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $47,830 to $61,280.
The area has 190 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.52 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Portland records the highest median at $64,280. Of the 392 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 180th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,420 | −37.3% |
| 25th | $47,830 | −23.9% |
| Median (50th) | $59,210 | −5.9% |
| 75th | $61,280 | −2.6% |
| 90th | $72,110 | +14.7% |
| Mean | $55,890 | −11.1% |
Other metro areas in Maine
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Maine run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $59,210 goes as far as $60,978 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,210as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$60,978US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,210 a year, 5.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,420 to $72,110 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 190 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Portland, at $64,280.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Southwest Maine, ME?
The median annual wage is $59,210, or $28.47 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 Southwest Maine, ME is 5.9% 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 Southwest Maine, ME earns more than $72,110 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,420 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 Portland, at $64,280 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 190 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Maine, ME. 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.
Explore related data