Paralegal Hourly Pay in Davis, CA: $33.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Davis, CA runs $33.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,722 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Davis's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,829 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Davis, California, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a median of $33.52, surpassing the national median of $31.30. This competitive rate allows those in the field to benefit significantly, whether they are working full-time or part-time as paralegals in various environments like law firms, corporate legal departments, or remote e-discovery roles. The hourly range offers entry-level positions starting at approximately $24.08, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $51.95 per hour. For part-time workers averaging a three-day workweek, this translates well into manageable earnings, making the paralegal profession an attractive option in Davis' legal market, particularly for those seeking flexibility without sacrificing income.
About the Davis 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) | $24.08 | $192.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.78 | $214.22 |
| Median (P50) | $33.52 | $268.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.90 | $343.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.95 | $415.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Davis
Based on $33.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.52/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Davis, CA can expect to earn approximately $69,714 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,220. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Davis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Davis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,340.66 | $5,810 | $69,714 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $804.40 | $3,486 | $41,829 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $536.26 | $2,324 | $27,886 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Davis) | $33.52 |
| 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 Davis, CA earn a median of $69,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.10% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 3.20% below the California state average of $72,027.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.52/hr = $41,829/year (purchasing power: $36,984).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,714/year (purchasing power: $61,640).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Davis grew 21.6% from $26.64/hr (2019) to $32.38/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.69/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 Davis 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 Davis
When considering part-time earnings for a paralegal working 24 hours per week, the financial outlook becomes intriguing. They would take home roughly $26,285 annually, which significantly differs from full-time earnings in the field. For those considering per diem work, the reality is that contract paralegals in Davis can bill anywhere between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialists in e-discovery review may command higher rates of $30 to $60 per hour. Freelance work for corporate paralegals typically falls within the $40 to $75 per hour range, and during active litigation, trial prep contract paralegals can earn between $50 and $90 per hour. Hourly rates vary across employer types, with larger firms often offering lower rates but more benefits compared to higher-paying freelance options that lack health coverage. This benefits trade-off makes it crucial for paralegals to strategically negotiate terms based on their circumstances, balancing hourly pay against benefits while considering the local market dynamics in Davis.
More salary data for Davis, 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 Davis. 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 Davis 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