Paralegal Hourly Pay in Sierra Vista, AZ: $24.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Sierra Vista, AZ runs $24.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,237 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Sierra Vista's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,745 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sierra Vista, Arizona, the projected hourly rate for paralegals is $24.64, a figure that lags behind the national median of $31.30. This difference significantly impacts the earning potential for part-time or per-diem paralegals working in various settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. A paralegal working three days a week may find their hourly pay reflects their crucial support roles, whether at a busy courthouse or a remote e-discovery review site. Entry-level positions typically start at around $20.63 per hour, while those in more experienced roles can earn up to $37.32 hourly. These figures are set to guide aspirants looking to understand the compensation landscape within their profession in Sierra Vista, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.63 | $165.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.82 | $174.56 |
| Median (P50) | $24.64 | $197.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.40 | $235.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.32 | $298.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sierra Vista
Based on $24.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.64/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sierra Vista, AZ can expect to earn approximately $51,242 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,562. With a cost-of-living index of 89.24 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sierra Vista.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sierra Vista
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $985.42 | $4,270 | $51,242 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $591.25 | $2,562 | $30,745 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $394.17 | $1,708 | $20,497 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Sierra Vista) | $24.64 |
| 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 Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $51,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.29% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.20% below the Arizona state average of $52,931.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.64/hr = $30,745/year (purchasing power: $34,451).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,242/year (purchasing power: $57,418).
CoL index: 89.243 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Sierra Vista grew 20.0% from $19.84/hr (2019) to $23.80/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.50/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 Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista
The earning potential of paralegals in Sierra Vista can vary widely based on employment arrangements and types of legal practices. Working part-time, a paralegal on a 24-hour weekly schedule would make approximately $28,076 annually, a significant difference compared to a full-time salary. Per-diem work is another avenue for paralegals, often billed between $25 to $50 per hour, with specialized e-discovery professionals earning even higher, between $30 to $60 hourly. Employment type also matters; law firms, whether big or boutique, may provide different pay scales compared to corporate legal departments or government offices. While some paralegals might accept a lower hourly wage for job benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiation is key in these discussions; paralegals can emphasize their specialized skills, such as proficiency in legal tech or relevant certifications, to secure better hourly rates.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, 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 Sierra Vista. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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