Paralegal Salary by State in 2025

Updated October 29, 2025

Paralegal pay varies widely across the U.S., reflecting regional demand, employer type, and specialization.
National data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that while the median annual wage for paralegals is around $60,000, top earners frequently exceed $100,000 in major legal markets.

Salary Insights at a Glance

  • Top-Earning States: The District of Columbia leads with a median salary of $99,300, followed by Washington, Massachusetts, Colorado, and California, where experienced paralegals often surpass six figures.
  • Regional Trends: States with strong government, corporate, and tech sectors, including Washington, Colorado, and New York, tend to offer the most competitive pay.
  • Growth Markets: Texas, Arizona, and Virginia offer balanced opportunities, with midrange salaries near $60,000 and rising demand across corporate and compliance roles.
  • Emerging Opportunities: Lower-cost regions such as the Midwest and South show steady growth as law firms expand remote and regional operations.
  • Top 10% Earnings: Certified and specialized paralegals in corporate or federal roles often earn between $90,000 and $120,000, especially in litigation or intellectual property law.

These figures underscore how location, specialization, and education strongly impact earning potential in the paralegal field.

How to Read This Data (Methodology)

Salary data below is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey for paralegals and legal assistants.
All numbers reflect median annual wages for full-time employees in 2025, rounded to the nearest hundred.
Cost of living, employer size, and professional certification can significantly influence earnings.

Salary by State

BLS OEWS, May 2024

State Median annual Top 10% annual
District of Columbia $99,300 $128,100
Washington $78,010 $115,120
Massachusetts $74,990 $107,650
Colorado $73,380 $106,080
New York $66,390 $105,910
California $72,960 $105,350
Illinois $62,290 $102,270
Oregon $63,970 $99,780
Maryland $63,560 $99,520
Minnesota $67,320 $98,480
New Jersey $62,790 $98,360
Delaware $60,000 $97,800
Virginia $61,200 $97,520
Arizona $61,220 $97,070
Texas $59,700 $96,530
Alaska $61,120 $95,410
Connecticut $63,260 $95,220
Pennsylvania $60,950 $94,990
Indiana $50,690 $93,930
Georgia $55,120 $92,500
Nebraska $61,410 $88,540
Michigan $61,490 $88,000
Utah $55,630 $87,900
New Hampshire $60,640 $87,260
West Virginia $49,620 $87,050
Missouri $58,730 $84,610
South Dakota $57,300 $84,150
Hawaii $60,890 $83,890
Ohio $58,870 $83,530
Florida $60,280 $82,450
North Carolina $49,390 $82,380
Wisconsin $56,520 $81,910
Rhode Island $54,540 $81,880
Kansas $48,910 $80,240
Vermont $63,000 $79,440
Oklahoma $50,200 $78,950
Nevada $62,090 $78,760
Iowa $53,280 $78,640
Maine $58,510 $78,000
Kentucky $49,000 $77,800
New Mexico $56,620 $77,570
Arkansas $46,940 $77,330
Louisiana $47,580 $77,200
North Dakota $59,910 $77,160
Montana $54,230 $76,700
Tennessee $55,270 $76,510
Idaho $54,020 $74,610
Alabama $46,060 $73,300
Wyoming $49,980 $72,800
South Carolina $48,640 $67,950
Mississippi $39,120 $67,620

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024.

💡 Top 10% salaries are often earned by paralegals with certification, advanced degrees, or corporate/federal experience.

Factors That Affect Pay

Several key variables determine how much paralegals earn across regions and practice areas.

Education & Certification

Advanced credentials such as NALA’s Certified Paralegal (CP) or NFPA’s PACE certification can increase pay by 10–20%.

Employer Type

Large law firms, financial institutions, and corporate legal departments typically offer higher compensation than small firms or public-sector employers.

Practice Area

Specialized fields, such as intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance, command higher salaries due to technical complexity.

Experience & Location

Experienced paralegals in metropolitan or coastal markets earn the most, with early-career professionals in smaller cities starting closer to regional medians.

Next Steps

Paralegal salaries continue to rise nationwide, supported by growing demand for affordable legal services and corporate compliance expertise.
Compare salary data to your region, then explore accredited programs or certifications that can help you reach top-earning potential.

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