Paralegal Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, AR: $27.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Jacksonville, AR runs $27.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,160 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,690 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jacksonville, Arkansas, the estimated paralegal hourly rate is $27.00, significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This rate offers a competitive edge in local legal job markets, particularly beneficial for those pursuing part-time work or per-diem contracts in various legal settings, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. For instance, a paralegal working three days a week could find a comfortable niche amidst the busy law firm cubicles, court filing windows, or even in hybrid e-discovery review environments. Entry-level positions could start around $19.83 per hour, while the highest earners in the field can reach an impressive $41.85 per hour, showcasing the potential for advancement and specialization within the profession.
About the Jacksonville 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) | $19.83 | $158.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.77 | $174.15 |
| Median (P50) | $27.00 | $215.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.14 | $273.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.85 | $334.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $27.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.00/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, AR can expect to earn approximately $56,150 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,394. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,079.82 | $4,679 | $56,150 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $647.89 | $2,808 | $33,690 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.93 | $1,872 | $22,460 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Jacksonville) | $27.00 |
| 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 Jacksonville, AR earn a median of $56,160 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.73% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.70% below the Arkansas state average of $56,556.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.00/hr = $33,690/year (purchasing power: $38,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,150/year (purchasing power: $64,615).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Jacksonville grew 21.6% from $21.46/hr (2019) to $26.08/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.94/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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
For part-time paralegals, earning potential significantly alters when working just 24 hours a week, leading to gradually lower take-home income in comparison to full-time roles. Contract paralegals engaged in per-diem work often see varied hourly compensation depending on their expertise; billing rates can range widely from $25 to $90 per hour based on the specific tasks, like corporate law or trial preparations. Agencies hiring contract paralegals may offer rates slightly lower than corporate or trial-based work, but freelancers in Jacksonville can command higher rates for niche skills, particularly in e-discovery. It's crucial to consider the benefits offered by full-time employment against the flexibility of hourly positions. Negotiating salaries is vital in Jacksonville; being aware of common rates and articulating one’s value effectively can lead to better compensation. Understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone looking to maximize their paralegal hourly pay in Jacksonville, AR.
More salary data for Jacksonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville 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