Paralegal Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $24.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Fayetteville, AR runs $24.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,061 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.4, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,642 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Paralegals in Fayetteville, Arkansas, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $24.55, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This discrepancy highlights the local market dynamics and cost of living considerations in the region, where part-time and per-diem workers can thrive in varied environments such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and remote e-discovery review setups. For those working part-time, such as a paralegal on a 3-day workweek, earnings will vary, falling between $18.61 for entry-level positions to upwards of $40.38 for top earners. The range reflects the spectrum of experience and specialization, allowing for flexibility in employment—that's distinctly observable in the variety of settings, including attorney offices and real estate title companies, where the demand for paralegal support remains robust.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.61 | $148.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.74 | $173.90 |
| Median (P50) | $24.55 | $196.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.50 | $251.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.38 | $323.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $24.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.55/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $51,069 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,463. With a cost-of-living index of 91.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $982.10 | $4,256 | $51,069 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.26 | $2,553 | $30,642 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.84 | $1,702 | $20,428 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Fayetteville) | $24.55 |
| 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 Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $51,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.56% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 9.70% below the Arkansas state average of $56,546.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.55/hr = $30,642/year (purchasing power: $33,542).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,069/year (purchasing power: $55,903).
CoL index: 91.353 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Fayetteville grew 31.5% from $18.04/hr (2019) to $23.72/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.41/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
Assessing the part-time earning potential of a paralegal clocking 24 hours a week reveals an annual take-home pay that can significantly differ from full-time counterparts. Specifically, those choosing a per-diem model in Fayetteville might find contract work yielding rates from $25 to $60 per hour, particularly for specialties such as e-discovery or trial preparation—where advanced skills allow for higher compensation. Different employer types impact these rates; large law firms may offer solid benefits but often at lower hourly rates compared to freelance opportunities at smaller businesses, which can command between $40 and $75 an hour. As paralegals consider their positions, many weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates accompanied by comprehensive benefits and higher hourly earnings that lack health assistance. Employees can enhance their negotiation leverage by highlighting certifications from recognized associations like NALA or NFPA, especially when pursuing specialized e-discovery roles that could lead to improved pay within the paralegal hourly pay Fayetteville framework.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville. 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