Paralegal Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $23.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Little Rock, AR runs $23.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,364 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,621 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, Arkansas, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $23.73 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This rate provides an interesting landscape for part-time and per-diem paralegals who often work in law firm environments, corporate legal departments, or government offices. For those working three days a week in a part-time capacity, this hourly rate translates to a practical yet moderate income. The hourly range for paralegals in the area is broad, with entry-level positions starting around $18.78 and experienced professionals potentially earning up to $40.47 per hour. These figures, drawn from projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate that while there are opportunities for income, the overall compensation remains competitive but lower when viewed against national statistics.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.78 | $150.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.08 | $184.66 |
| Median (P50) | $23.73 | $189.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.48 | $251.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.47 | $323.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $23.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.73/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $49,368 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,482. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $949.39 | $4,114 | $49,368 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $569.64 | $2,468 | $29,621 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $379.76 | $1,646 | $19,747 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Little Rock) | $23.73 |
| 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 Little Rock, AR earn a median of $49,364 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.17% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 12.70% below the Arkansas state average of $56,545.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.73/hr = $29,621/year (purchasing power: $33,147).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,368/year (purchasing power: $55,244).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Little Rock grew 23.4% from $18.58/hr (2019) to $22.93/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.57/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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock
Beyond the basic hourly wage structure, the paralegal profession in Little Rock presents various earning scenarios for those considering part-time or contract work. A part-time paralegal, working 24 hours a week, might bring home a dramatically different annual figure compared to full-time counterparts, influenced by their reduced hours. Contract positions frequently command higher rates, with per diem paralegal pay in Little Rock ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, depending on specific skills or project demands, such as e-discovery work that can elevate rates to between $30 and $60 per hour. Hourly wages can vary notably among employers, with BigLaw firms generally offering more than mid-size or small boutiques, and in-house corporate legal departments providing consistent pay alongside benefits. Those opting for governmental or public defender roles might encounter lower hourly rates but enjoy job security and benefits—something to consider when negotiating work terms.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Little Rock in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Little Rock?
Are paralegals in Little Rock paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Little Rock?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Little Rock?
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 Little Rock. 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, 5-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