Paralegal Hourly Pay in Concord, CA: $35.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Concord, CA runs $35.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,861 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Concord's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,322 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals in Concord, California, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $35.51, which surpasses the national median of $31.30 by approximately 13.46%. This level of compensation provides a solid opportunity for those considering part-time or per-diem work. A paralegal working three days a week, or approximately 24 hours, stands to earn a substantial income while enjoying flexible schedules typical of law firm environments or corporate legal departments. The hourly pay range for paralegals in this region varies significantly, beginning at around $24.35 for entry-level positions and going up to $55.04 for top earners. These estimates are derived from annual salary data and can give prospective paralegals insight into their earning potential in diverse settings, such as government offices, remote review teams, and real estate closings.
About the Concord 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) | $24.35 | $194.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.55 | $220.43 |
| Median (P50) | $35.51 | $284.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.45 | $363.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.04 | $440.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Concord
Based on $35.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.51/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Concord, CA can expect to earn approximately $73,870 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,617. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Concord.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Concord
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,420.57 | $6,156 | $73,870 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $852.34 | $3,693 | $44,322 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $568.23 | $2,462 | $29,548 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Concord) | $35.51 |
| 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 Concord, CA earn a median of $73,861 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.46% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 2.50% above the California state average of $72,059.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.51/hr = $44,322/year (purchasing power: $39,188).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,870/year (purchasing power: $65,314).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Concord grew 21.6% from $28.23/hr (2019) to $34.31/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.76/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 Concord 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 Concord
Assessing the earning potential for part-time paralegals reveals a stark comparison with their full-time counterparts. Those working in a part-time capacity for 24 hours a week could earn around $44,106 annually, which highlights the trade-off many paralegals face when balancing hours worked and benefits received. In the world of per-diem or contract paralegal work, typical rates range significantly; for instance, agency paralegals might bill between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery roles could command $30 to $60 per hour. At the higher end, freelance corporate paralegals often earn from $40 to $75 per hour, and trial preparation roles can generate between $50 and $90 per hour during busy litigation periods. Different types of employers in Concord, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices, influence hourly wages, with larger firms often able to provide premium pay. However, some may opt for lower-paying jobs within organizations that offer health insurance and stability. Paralegals negotiating their hourly pay should emphasize their specific skills, particularly in areas such as e-discovery, to maximize their potential in the Concord job market.
More salary data for Concord, 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 Concord. 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 Concord 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