Paralegal Hourly Pay in Benton, AR: $26.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Benton, AR runs $26.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,418 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Benton's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,251 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a median of $26.64, which is notably lower than the national average of $31.30 per hour. This disparity can influence part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, shaping their annual earnings based on the reduced hours. The hourly rates for paralegals in this region range from $18.87 at the entry-level (P10) to a substantial $41.27 for the highest earners (P90), highlighting the potential for growth within this field. These figures, while reflective of the annual salary data, provide valuable insights for those considering positions in various settings, including law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, government offices, or even remote e-discovery environments.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.87 | $150.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.03 | $168.27 |
| Median (P50) | $26.64 | $213.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.27 | $266.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.27 | $330.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Benton
Based on $26.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.64/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Benton, AR can expect to earn approximately $55,418 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,972. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Benton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Benton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,065.74 | $4,618 | $55,418 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $639.44 | $2,771 | $33,251 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $426.30 | $1,847 | $22,167 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Benton) | $26.64 |
| 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 Benton, AR earn a median of $55,418 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $56,549.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.64/hr = $33,251/year (purchasing power: $38,264).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,418/year (purchasing power: $63,773).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Benton grew 21.6% from $21.18/hr (2019) to $25.74/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.58/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 Benton 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 Benton
Exploring part-time earnings, a paralegal working 24 hours a week at Benton can expect to make significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, while still bringing in a competitive income. In terms of per diem paralegal pay options, those working on a contract basis might bill rates ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, with specialized e-discovery roles commanding $30 to $60, and freelance corporate positions potentially yielding higher rates of $40 to $75 per hour. Different employer types in Benton influence compensation as well—BigLaw firms may offer higher hourly rates, but at the cost of longer hours compared to in-house corporate positions that tend to feature better work-life balance. Some paralegals may choose lower hourly rates in favor of benefits like health insurance, a critical consideration when negotiating pay. For those in this field, local insights and negotiation strategies can be pivotal in securing the most favorable hourly pay, particularly in the competitive market of Benton, AR.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 Benton. 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 Benton 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