Paralegal Hourly Pay in Compton, CA: $34.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Compton, CA runs $34.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,354 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Compton's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,810 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals in Compton, California, command a median hourly rate of $34.30, which is notably higher than the national median of $31.30. This difference can be particularly significant for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For example, a paralegal working three days a week in typical settings—such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices—has the potential to earn a steady income from this hourly rate while enjoying flexible working hours. Entry-level positions may start at around $23.14 per hour, with top earners making up to $53.17 per hour. These estimates provide a useful framework for understanding compensation in various legal environments, whether in the busy sectors of real estate title closings or the increasingly popular remote e-discovery roles, where paralegals can often earn competitive pay.
About the Compton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.14 | $185.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.34 | $226.73 |
| Median (P50) | $34.30 | $274.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.12 | $344.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.17 | $425.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Compton
Based on $34.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.30/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Compton, CA can expect to earn approximately $71,351 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,164. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Compton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Compton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,372.13 | $5,946 | $71,351 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $823.28 | $3,568 | $42,810 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $548.85 | $2,378 | $28,540 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Compton) | $34.30 |
| 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 Compton, CA earn a median of $71,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.61% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 1.00% below the California state average of $72,074.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.30/hr = $42,810/year (purchasing power: $37,852).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,351/year (purchasing power: $63,086).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Compton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Compton grew 21.6% from $27.26/hr (2019) to $33.14/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.51/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 Compton 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 Compton
For those considering part-time work, a paralegal putting in 24 hours per week could expect to take home around $42,297 annually—substantially lower than full-time counterparts, but with added flexibility and fewer commitments. Per diem paralegals generally see varying rates depending on their specialty and the nature of their work, with typical billing ranging from $25 to $50 per hour. Those specializing in e-discovery can expect to top out around $60 per hour, while contract paralegals involved in trial preparation might command $50 to $90 per hour during active litigation. The disparity in hourly rates across employer types in Compton reflects the trade-offs many professionals face between higher wages and access to benefits like health insurance. For those negotiating hourly rates, be prepared with market data, understand the unique factors influencing your sector, and consider the benefits of full-time positions against the increased hourly pay available in freelance or contract roles.
More salary data for Compton, CA:
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 Compton. 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 Compton 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