Paralegal Hourly Pay in Long Beach, CA: $38.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Long Beach, CA runs $38.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,507 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Long Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,301 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Long Beach, California, paralegals command a median hourly rate of $38.70, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $31.30. This generous compensation reflects the area's competitive job market and the growing importance of paralegals in various legal settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and governmental offices. For those considering part-time roles, a paralegal working three days a week can anticipate stable income, typically amounting to approximately $29,000 per year before taxes if averaging around 24 hours weekly. Entry-level positions may start around $25.08 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $59.99 per hour, making it a lucrative field for both full-time and per-diem workers. The estimates for these hourly rates derive from annual salary data projections for 2026, emphasizing the industry's demand for qualified candidates.
About the Long Beach 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) | $25.08 | $200.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.34 | $250.74 |
| Median (P50) | $38.70 | $309.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.54 | $396.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.99 | $479.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Long Beach
Based on $38.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.70/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Long Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $80,501 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,443. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Long Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Long Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,548.10 | $6,708 | $80,501 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $928.86 | $4,025 | $48,301 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $619.24 | $2,683 | $32,200 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Long Beach) | $38.70 |
| 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 Long Beach, CA earn a median of $80,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.67% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 11.70% above the California state average of $72,074.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.70/hr = $48,301/year (purchasing power: $42,706).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,501/year (purchasing power: $71,177).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Long Beach grew 21.6% from $30.76/hr (2019) to $37.39/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.06/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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach
Exploring the earning potential for part-time and contract opportunities reveals interesting dynamics in the Long Beach paralegal job market. A paralegal working part-time could earn around $29,000 annually but might find higher per diem rates enticing; contract work can yield varying amounts, with general paralegal roles billing between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery work can command anywhere from $30 to $60 per hour. Employers across various sectors, including law practices and government legal offices, influence hourly rates significantly. BigLaw firms may offer higher pay at the cost of demanding schedules, while in-house positions generally provide better work-life balance but possibly lower rates. It’s also worthwhile to consider benefits packages versus hourly rates; some might accept lower pay for stability and insurance, while others might prefer higher pay without the fringe benefits. For job seekers, negotiation based on niche skills—such as e-discovery expertise recognized by NALA and NFPA—can secure better compensation in Long Beach.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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 Long Beach. 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 Long Beach 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