Paralegal Hourly Pay in Kennesaw, GA: $23.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Kennesaw, GA runs $23.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,468 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Kennesaw's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,686 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals in Kennesaw, Georgia, earn a median hourly rate of $23.79, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This disparity illustrates that professionals in this field may encounter varying financial landscapes based on geographic location. With an hourly pay range stretching from $17.90 at entry-level positions to $36.86 for experienced paralegals, opportunities exist for part-time positions or per-diem roles. In settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices, part-time workers typically work around three days a week, while per-diem paralegals may find flexible opportunities, particularly in e-discovery projects or other temporary engagements. These hourly rates, derived from projected annual salary estimates, reflect the realities of the Kennesaw job market and the kind of environments paralegals operate within.
About the Kennesaw Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.90 | $143.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.95 | $151.62 |
| Median (P50) | $23.79 | $190.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.86 | $238.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.86 | $294.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kennesaw
Based on $23.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.79/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kennesaw, GA can expect to earn approximately $49,476 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,544. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kennesaw.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kennesaw
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $951.46 | $4,123 | $49,476 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $570.88 | $2,474 | $29,686 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $380.59 | $1,649 | $19,790 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Kennesaw) | $23.79 |
| 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 Kennesaw, GA earn a median of $49,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.01% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.50% below the Georgia state average of $51,799.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.79/hr = $29,686/year (purchasing power: $31,886).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,476/year (purchasing power: $53,143).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Kennesaw (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Kennesaw grew 21.6% from $18.91/hr (2019) to $22.98/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.62/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 Kennesaw 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 Kennesaw
Focusing on part-time work as a paralegal, those who choose to work a three-day schedule can expect to take home approximately $29,913 annually, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts. For per-diem paralegals, the billing rates can vary widely; contract roles often range from $25 to $50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery review positions may command up to $60 per hour. Freelancers servicing small businesses might charge between $40 and $75, and contract positions related to trial preparation can even reach rates of $90 per hour during high-demand periods. Hourly pay rates differ based on employer type—BigLaw firms tend to offer higher compensation but alongside a more intense workload, while corporate environments provide steadier, more balanced positions. Delivering benefits versus high hourly rates often leads paralegals to make strategic choices regarding their work arrangements. When negotiating hourly pay in Kennesaw, emphasizing experience, relevant certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA, and specialized skills, such as e-discovery expertise, can strengthen one's position.
More salary data for Kennesaw, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Kennesaw. 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 Kennesaw 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