Paralegal Hourly Pay in Dodge City, KS: $26.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Dodge City, KS runs $26.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,981 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Dodge City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,587 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dodge City, Kansas, paralegal hourly pay is projected to reach $26.91 in 2026, notably lower than the national median of $31.30. This discrepancy may affect individuals seeking part-time employment; for those working a typical schedule of three days a week, this translates into a significant income that can support various professional settings, from bustling law firm environments to remote e-discovery projects. The range of hourly pay stretches from $19.85 for entry-level positions to $41.54 for experienced paralegals, allowing for advancement opportunities within the field. Such rates are derived from annual salary estimates, highlighting the financial growth potential for those who specialize or gain experience in specific areas of law.
About the Dodge City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.85 | $158.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.76 | $174.06 |
| Median (P50) | $26.91 | $215.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.51 | $268.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.54 | $332.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dodge City
Based on $26.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.91/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dodge City, KS can expect to earn approximately $55,978 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,295. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dodge City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dodge City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,076.50 | $4,665 | $55,978 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.90 | $2,799 | $33,587 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.60 | $1,866 | $22,391 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Dodge City) | $26.91 |
| 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 Dodge City, KS earn a median of $55,981 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.40% below the Kansas state average of $59,177.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.91/hr = $33,587/year (purchasing power: $36,949).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,978/year (purchasing power: $61,582).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Dodge City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Dodge City grew 21.6% from $21.39/hr (2019) to $26.00/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.86/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 Dodge City 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 Dodge City
Evaluating the part-time earning potential in Dodge City reveals that a paralegal working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $33,607 annually, compared to full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. The contract landscape offers even wider variability; while per diem paralegals in the area may be compensated between $25 and $50 an hour, niche specialties like e-discovery can command rates up to $60. In-house corporate positions may offer moderate pay with benefits, dominating the hiring landscape alongside government entities and small firms that provide flexible opportunities. Negotiation is key—candidates should weigh the hourly rate against benefits packages when considering options, especially in a competitive market like paralegal work in Dodge City, KS.
More salary data for Dodge City, KS:
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 Dodge City. 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 Dodge City 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