Paralegal Hourly Pay in Pine Bluff, AR: $26.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Pine Bluff, AR runs $26.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,216 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Pine Bluff's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,135 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals in Pine Bluff, AR earn a median hourly rate of $26.55, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This rate suggests that those working in traditional settings such as law firms or corporate legal departments may find themselves earning less compared to their counterparts in larger metropolitan areas. For part-time paralegals working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to approximately $1,066 per week or around $4,264 per month. The hourly range for paralegals in the city varies widely, from an entry-level pay of $18.72 to top earners making up to $41.15, illustrating the potential for growth as paralegals gain experience and specialize in areas like e-discovery.
About the Pine Bluff 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) | $18.72 | $149.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.84 | $166.69 |
| Median (P50) | $26.55 | $212.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.98 | $271.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.15 | $329.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pine Bluff
Based on $26.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.55/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pine Bluff, AR can expect to earn approximately $55,225 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,860. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pine Bluff.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pine Bluff
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,062.01 | $4,602 | $55,225 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $637.21 | $2,761 | $33,135 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $424.81 | $1,841 | $22,090 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Pine Bluff) | $26.55 |
| 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 Pine Bluff, AR earn a median of $55,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.18% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.40% below the Arkansas state average of $56,574.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.55/hr = $33,135/year (purchasing power: $38,130).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,225/year (purchasing power: $63,550).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Pine Bluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Pine Bluff grew 21.6% from $21.10/hr (2019) to $25.65/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.48/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 Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff
Examining part-time earning potential helps illustrate the financial landscape for paralegals in Pine Bluff. A paralegal working 24 hours a week at the median rate will earn about $28,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time colleague. Additionally, contract or per-diem paralegals, often referred to as freelance paralegals, might find pay varying between $25 to $60 per hour, depending on their specialty and the nature of the work, including e-discovery jobs that command even higher rates. Law firms, corporate departments, and government offices may offer different rates based on their financial capabilities, with large firms typically offering better compensation. However, paralegals accepting lower hourly pay often benefit from additional health insurance and retirement plans, making this a critical factor in job choice. Those negotiating hourly rates in Pine Bluff should emphasize their specialties, particularly in high-demand areas like e-discovery, as these skills can warrant a higher rate without compromising benefits.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, 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 Pine Bluff. 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 Pine Bluff 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