Paralegal Hourly Pay in Peoria, AZ: $26.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Peoria, AZ runs $26.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,100 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Peoria's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,463 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Peoria, Arizona, paralegals earn a median hourly pay of $26.01, significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This differential presents various financial implications for part-time and per-diem workers. For instance, a part-time paralegal working three days a week might find their hours concentrated into a manageable schedule, yet the overall earnings remain limited compared to full-time counterparts. In general, the hourly range spans from $17.70 at entry-level positions to as high as $40.32 for top earners. These rates reflect the projections derived from annual salary data, indicating that the pay might not fully align with the typical expectations of those operating in law firms, corporate legal departments, and other legal environments.
About the Peoria Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.70 | $141.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.08 | $160.65 |
| Median (P50) | $26.01 | $208.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.82 | $262.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.32 | $322.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Peoria
Based on $26.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.01/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Peoria, AZ can expect to earn approximately $54,105 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,214. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Peoria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Peoria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,040.48 | $4,509 | $54,105 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $624.29 | $2,705 | $32,463 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $416.19 | $1,804 | $21,642 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Peoria) | $26.01 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Peoria, AZ earn a median of $54,100 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.89% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.20% above the Arizona state average of $52,935.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.01/hr = $32,463/year (purchasing power: $32,957).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,105/year (purchasing power: $54,929).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Peoria grew 21.6% from $20.67/hr (2019) to $25.13/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.93/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Peoria
For those considering part-time roles in paralegal work, taking on a schedule of 24 hours a week can yield an annual income that falls short of what full-time positions offer. Moreover, the per diem paralegal pay in Peoria often reflects contract rates ranging between $25 to $50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery roles can command $30 to $60 per hour. Freelance corporate paralegals may achieve significantly higher rates, from $40 to $75 per hour, whereas trial prep positions can climb to $50 to $90 per hour during active litigation. Hourly wages in Peoria vary based on the type of employer; BigLaw firms tend to offer very competitive compensation, yet they require demanding work hours. In-house corporate positions generally provide better work-life balance but might present lower hourly rates. Paralegals often consider the trade-off between hourly pay and benefits such as health insurance, making careful negotiations important for securing favorable compensation in the local job market.
More salary data for Peoria, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Peoria. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Peoria is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov