Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary (2025)
Based on 392,880 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $44,740 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $50,340 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $62,890 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $80,080 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $101,500 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$45K
25th
$50K
Median
$63K
75th
$80K
90th
$102K
Highest Paying States for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $95,400 |
| Washington | $83,740 |
| California | $81,320 |
| Massachusetts | $81,160 |
| Colorado | $80,760 |
| New York | $76,890 |
| Minnesota | $73,960 |
| Alaska | $73,440 |
| Maryland | $73,060 |
| New Jersey | $72,550 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is District of Columbia at an average of $95,400 per year, while New Jersey has an average of $72,550 — a difference of $22,850. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Paralegals and Legal Assistants
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 392,880 workers were employed as Paralegals and Legal Assistantss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Legal Occupations. The annual mean wage of $69,700 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 23-2011