Paralegal Hourly Pay in Lodi, CA: $34.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Lodi, CA runs $34.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,988 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Lodi's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,198 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lodi, California, paralegals earn a median hourly rate of $34.61, significantly above the national median of $31.30. This higher pay reflects the demand for skilled legal support, providing attractive opportunities for both full-time and per-diem workers in various settings, including law firms and corporate legal departments. For part-time paralegals working three days a week, this hourly compensation translates into a promising income, especially when considering alternatives like remote or hybrid positions in e-discovery work. The hourly pay spectrum ranges from $25.33 for entry-level roles to as much as $53.65 for those at the top of the scale, accommodating a diverse group of paralegals seeking different levels of responsibility and complexity in their work.
About the Lodi 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) | $25.33 | $202.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.00 | $224.00 |
| Median (P50) | $34.61 | $276.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.22 | $353.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.65 | $429.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lodi
Based on $34.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.61/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lodi, CA can expect to earn approximately $71,997 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,536. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lodi.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lodi
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,384.55 | $6,000 | $71,997 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $830.73 | $3,600 | $43,198 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $553.82 | $2,400 | $28,799 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Lodi) | $34.61 |
| 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 Lodi, CA earn a median of $71,988 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.59% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 0.10% below the California state average of $72,060.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.61/hr = $43,198/year (purchasing power: $38,194).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,997/year (purchasing power: $63,657).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Lodi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Lodi grew 21.6% from $27.51/hr (2019) to $33.44/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.83/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 Lodi 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 Lodi
Part-time paralegals in Lodi, working an average of 24 hours a week, can expect earnings that differ significantly from their full-time counterparts. These part-time professionals could potentially take home around $43,000 annually, depending on their specific hours and hourly rates, offering flexibility while still providing a decent income. For those exploring per-diem or contract opportunities, hourly pay generally falls between $25 and $50 for standard paralegal work, with specialists in e-discovery and trial preparation garnering rates as high as $60 to $90 per hour. Salary variations occur across different employers; while BigLaw firms may provide higher compensation, they often come with demanding hours, whereas corporate legal departments might focus more on work-life balance. Negotiating hourly rates effectively is critical, especially in Lodi’s competitive legal market, as some may prefer the security of health benefits over higher hourly pay without those perks.
More salary data for Lodi, 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 Lodi. 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 Lodi 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