Paralegal Hourly Pay in Bentonville, AR: $26.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Bentonville, AR runs $26.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,885 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Bentonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,535 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bentonville, Arkansas, the projected paralegal hourly pay is $26.87, which falls short compared to the national median of $31.30. This difference has implications for part-time paralegals working three days a week, as well as those seeking per-diem roles in various environments such as law firms, corporate legal departments, government offices, and even in remote e-discovery settings. For entry-level positions, the hourly wages start at approximately $18.04, while top earners can make as much as $41.64 per hour. These figures are indicative of what paralegals in Bentonville can expect based on estimates derived from annual salary data, highlighting both the struggles and potential rewards in this field.
About the Bentonville 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) | $18.04 | $144.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.12 | $176.96 |
| Median (P50) | $26.87 | $214.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.71 | $269.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.64 | $333.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bentonville
Based on $26.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.87/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bentonville, AR can expect to earn approximately $55,892 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,245. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bentonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bentonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,074.85 | $4,658 | $55,892 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $644.91 | $2,795 | $33,535 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $429.94 | $1,863 | $22,357 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Bentonville) | $26.87 |
| 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 Bentonville, AR earn a median of $55,885 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.15% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $56,564.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.87/hr = $33,535/year (purchasing power: $38,591).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,892/year (purchasing power: $64,318).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Bentonville grew 21.6% from $21.36/hr (2019) to $25.96/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.81/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 Bentonville 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 Bentonville
For a paralegal in Bentonville working part-time, specifically three days a week amounting to 24 hours, annual earnings could amount to about $33,430, significantly less than a full-time paralegal salary. Contract positions are also prevalent, with rates commonly falling between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialists in e-discovery might command even higher rates, varying from $30 to $60 hourly. The compensation can vary depending on the type of employer; for instance, BigLaw firms typically offer higher rates but demand longer hours, while in-house corporate roles tend to provide a more balanced work-life dynamic. Paralegals accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance may find this trade-off appealing, though many pursue higher-paying freelance positions without benefits. Negotiation strategies tailored for the hourly pay structure in Bentonville can empower these professionals to improve their earning potential moving forward.
More salary data for Bentonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Bentonville in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Bentonville?
Are paralegals in Bentonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Bentonville?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Bentonville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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 Bentonville. 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 Bentonville 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