Paralegal Hourly Pay in Monroe, LA: $23.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Monroe, LA runs $23.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,722 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Monroe's regional price level (BEA RPP 83.6, 16% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,234 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Monroe, Louisiana, the median paralegal hourly pay is set at $23.42, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This wage reflects the local market and can impact the financial reality for part-time paralegals, who may typically work three days a week in environments such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices. With an hourly rate that ranges from $18.15 for entry-level positions to $35.66 for those in top-tier roles, paralegals have various options in their day-to-day work settings, including the more flexible arrangements of remote e-discovery reviews. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, paints a clear picture of the current state of paralegal hourly compensation in Monroe.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.15 | $145.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.53 | $180.27 |
| Median (P50) | $23.42 | $187.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.48 | $243.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.66 | $285.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Monroe
Based on $23.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.42/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Monroe, LA can expect to earn approximately $48,723 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,109. With a cost-of-living index of 83.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Monroe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Monroe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $936.97 | $4,060 | $48,723 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $562.18 | $2,436 | $29,234 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.79 | $1,624 | $19,489 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Monroe) | $23.42 |
| 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 Monroe, LA earn a median of $48,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.15% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 17.10% below the Louisiana state average of $58,772.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.42/hr = $29,234/year (purchasing power: $34,970).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,723/year (purchasing power: $58,283).
CoL index: 83.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Monroe grew 23.5% from $18.33/hr (2019) to $22.63/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.25/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 Monroe 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 Monroe
Exploring the earning potential reveals a different side to being a paralegal in Monroe. For those working part-time at 24 hours a week, the annual income can be lower in comparison to full-time paralegals, translating to reduced long-term earnings and benefits. The world of per diem or contract paralegals often provides higher rates, with billable hours ranging from $25 to $90 depending on the specialization and demand in legal settings like trial preparation or e-discovery. Variations in hourly rates stem from the type of employer, whether it be a large law firm, a small practice, or an in-house corporate department. While some may opt for lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may pursue freelance opportunities for greater flexibility and higher pay. Negotiating effectively can be crucial for hourly paralegals in Monroe, emphasizing the balance between hourly rates and the total compensation package.
More salary data for Monroe, LA:
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 Monroe. 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