Paralegal Hourly Pay in Leawood, KS: $27.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Leawood, KS runs $27.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,942 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Leawood's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,168 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Leawood, Kansas, paralegals can expect a median hourly pay of $27.38, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This rate provides an interesting dynamic for those considering part-time work; for instance, someone working three days a week might find this pay suitable for their financial needs but may not match the earning potential available elsewhere. The hourly range for paralegals in Leawood stretches from $20.95 for entry-level positions to as high as $42.43 for more experienced specialists. These figures, derived from projected annual salary data, reflect the opportunities within various environments—whether in law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, or remote settings dedicated to e-discovery.
About the Leawood 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) | $20.95 | $167.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.08 | $176.63 |
| Median (P50) | $27.38 | $219.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.62 | $276.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.43 | $339.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leawood
Based on $27.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.38/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leawood, KS can expect to earn approximately $56,947 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,854. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leawood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Leawood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,095.14 | $4,746 | $56,947 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $657.08 | $2,847 | $34,168 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $438.05 | $1,898 | $22,779 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Leawood) | $27.38 |
| 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 Leawood, KS earn a median of $56,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.53% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.80% below the Kansas state average of $59,191.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.38/hr = $34,168/year (purchasing power: $37,589).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,947/year (purchasing power: $62,648).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Leawood grew 21.6% from $21.76/hr (2019) to $26.45/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.34/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 Leawood 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 Leawood
Evaluating part-time earning potential reveals that a paralegal working 24 hours a week can take home around $34,078 annually, which may not suffice for those accustomed to full-time income. Many paralegals engage in per-diem or freelance work, with agencies offering contract opportunities that can bill anywhere from $25 to $90 per hour, depending on the assignment. E-discovery specialists, for instance, can command $30 to $60 per hour, illustrating a premium for those skilled in that niche. Hourly rates vary substantially across employer types in Leawood, with law firms generally offering lower compensation compared to corporate legal departments or government offices, where benefits may sweeten the deal. Paralegals often weigh the trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits and steadier hours with health insurance. Additionally, when negotiating rates, it’s advisable to know the job market and highlight any specialized qualifications, particularly in areas like e-discovery or trial preparation to maximize potential earnings within this field.
More salary data for Leawood, 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 Leawood. 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 Leawood 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