SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 9 metro areas compared
At $46,670, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, 25.8% beneath the national figure of $62,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $46,670, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, 25.8% beneath the national figure of $62,890. Pay ranges from under $37,610 at the tenth percentile to more than $62,440 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,070 to $50,210.
Employment stands at 140, or 1.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Richmond records the highest median at $62,940. Of the 327 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 184th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,610 | −40.2% |
| 25th | $38,070 | −39.5% |
| Median (50th) | $46,670 | −25.8% |
| 75th | $50,210 | −20.2% |
| 90th | $62,440 | −0.7% |
| Mean | $47,820 | −24.0% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $62,940 | 1,930 | |
| 2 | Roanoke | $60,060 | 390 | |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $59,790 | 1,670 | |
| 4 | Charlottesville | $59,740 | 190 | |
| 5 | Winchester | $58,640 | 80 | |
| 6 | Blacksburg | $58,320 | 70 | |
| 7 | Staunton | $50,890 | 50 | |
| 8 | Harrisonburg | $50,870 | 110 | |
| 9 | Lynchburg | $50,660 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Virginia sit close to the national average, so $46,670 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$46,670as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,162US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,670 a year, 25.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,610 to $62,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Richmond, at $62,940.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Southwest Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $46,670, or $22.44 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 Virginia, VA is 25.8% 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 Southwest Virginia, VA earns more than $62,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,610 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 Richmond, at $62,940 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 140 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Virginia, VA. 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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