Paralegal Hourly Pay in Wildwood, FL: $28.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Wildwood, FL runs $28.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,767 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Wildwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.4, 15% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,861 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wildwood, Florida, the projected paralegal hourly pay for 2026 is set at $28.73, positioning it below the national hourly median of $31.30. For paralegals working part-time, such as those on a three-day/week schedule, this translates to approximately $1,375 weekly, providing a decent living while allowing for flexibility in work-life commitments. The hourly pay range in this profession spans from $18.19 for entry-level positions to a notable $47.00 for experienced professionals, illustrating the potential for growth in this field. Paralegals often find employment in various settings, including conventional law firms and corporate legal departments, as well as in government offices and remote e-discovery roles. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the evolving compensation landscape for paralegals in Wildwood.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.19 | $145.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.13 | $185.08 |
| Median (P50) | $28.73 | $229.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.72 | $301.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.00 | $376.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wildwood
Based on $28.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.73/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wildwood, FL can expect to earn approximately $59,768 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,481. With a cost-of-living index of 85.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wildwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wildwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,149.38 | $4,981 | $59,768 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.63 | $2,988 | $35,861 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.75 | $1,992 | $23,907 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Wildwood) | $28.73 |
| 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 Wildwood, FL earn a median of $59,767 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.19% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.20% above the Florida state average of $59,058.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.73/hr = $35,861/year (purchasing power: $41,979).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,768/year (purchasing power: $69,966).
CoL index: 85.424 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Wildwood grew 21.6% from $22.84/hr (2019) to $27.76/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.74/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 Wildwood 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 Wildwood
Focusing on the earning potential, a paralegal working part-time (24 hours a week) at the projected hourly rate can expect to take home about $71,640 annually. This contrasts with full-time positions, which can yield significantly higher total income but often at the cost of longer hours and against the pressures of the high-stakes environment found in BigLaw. The per diem paralegal pay in Wildwood can range from $25 to $50 per hour, with specialists in e-discovery potentially commanding rates between $30 and $60, while freelance corporate paralegals may see rates of $40 to $75. Different employer types influence pay, with law firms often providing lower salaries compared to corporate legal departments that might provide benefits like health insurance. Negotiating for better pay can depend on highlighting specialized skills like e-discovery capabilities, as well as the work environment, as some professionals prioritize benefits over higher hourly rates in their career choices.
More salary data for Wildwood, 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 Wildwood. 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, 2-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