Paralegal Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, FL: $31.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Jacksonville, FL runs $31.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,673 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,806 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, Florida, the median hourly pay for paralegals is projected to be $31.09 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $31.30. This rate provides a stable income for both full-time and part-time paralegals, especially those working three days a week, where they can expect to make approximately $23,000 annually if they work around 24 hours a week. The pay range in Jacksonville spans from $20.21 for entry-level positions to about $45.84 for more experienced paralegals. This reflects the diverse environments paralegals operate in, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices, where the workspaces can range from bustling law firm cubicles to more laid-back corporate settings. The figures provided are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.21 | $161.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.76 | $198.08 |
| Median (P50) | $31.09 | $248.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.42 | $299.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.84 | $366.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $31.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.09/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, FL can expect to earn approximately $64,676 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,313. With a cost-of-living index of 99.48 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,243.78 | $5,390 | $64,676 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $746.27 | $3,234 | $38,806 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.51 | $2,156 | $25,871 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Jacksonville) | $31.09 |
| 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 Jacksonville, FL earn a median of $64,673 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.65% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 9.50% above the Florida state average of $59,062.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.09/hr = $38,806/year (purchasing power: $39,007).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,676/year (purchasing power: $65,012).
CoL index: 99.484 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Jacksonville grew 33.7% from $22.46/hr (2019) to $30.04/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.19/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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
For part-time paralegals in Jacksonville, such as those working just 24 hours a week, the earning potential remains attractive while also allowing for flexibility. This translates to yearly earnings that provide a reasonable income without full-time commitment. Conversely, per diem paralegals may find themselves earning between $25 to $50 per hour, depending on the nature of their assignments, with more specialized roles in e-discovery potentially commanding $30 to $60 per hour. Notably, trial prep contract paralegals could earn up to $90 per hour during busy litigation periods. Hourly rates vary significantly among employer types; large law firms typically pay higher compared to public defender offices. Some paralegals might accept lower hourly rates for positions that offer health benefits, while others prefer higher pay without such perks. For those negotiating rates in Jacksonville, understanding the balance of pay and benefits is key to maximizing both immediate earnings and long-term career satisfaction.
More salary data for Jacksonville, FL:
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 Jacksonville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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