Paralegal Hourly Pay in Bangor, ME: $29.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Bangor, ME runs $29.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,326 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Bangor's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,196 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bangor, Maine, the paralegal hourly pay averages $29.00, which is slightly below the national median of $31.30. For those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, this rate translates into a steady income while operating in various settings like law firms, corporate legal departments, and governmental offices. Part-time paralegals typically put in about three days a week, allowing for a work-life balance while still earning a competitive rate. The hourly range in Bangor extends from $23.68 for entry-level positions to $38.51 for experienced professionals, highlighting the potential for career progression within the field. These figures are grounded in official projections from BLS and specifically pertain to the year 2026, reflecting the evolving landscape of paralegal compensation in Maine.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.68 | $189.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.59 | $196.75 |
| Median (P50) | $29.00 | $232.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.13 | $257.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.51 | $308.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bangor
Based on $29.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.00/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bangor, ME can expect to earn approximately $60,327 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,804. With a cost-of-living index of 96.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bangor.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bangor
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,160.14 | $5,027 | $60,327 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $696.08 | $3,016 | $36,196 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.06 | $2,011 | $24,131 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Bangor) | $29.00 |
| 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 Bangor, ME earn a median of $60,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.33% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 7.00% below the Maine state average of $64,866.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.00/hr = $36,196/year (purchasing power: $37,506).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,327/year (purchasing power: $62,510).
CoL index: 96.508 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Bangor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Bangor grew 10.0% from $25.47/hr (2019) to $28.02/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.02/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 Bangor 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 Bangor
For part-time workers in Bangor, a paralegal putting in 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $36,288 annually, which contrasts sharply with the earnings of full-time paralegals. Many in the field also pursue per-diem opportunities, with contractual positions offering varying pay scales; for instance, e-discovery reviewers may earn between $30-$60 per hour, while freelance corporate paralegals often charge between $40-$75. The type of employer significantly influences hourly rates; while larger law firms may offer more competitive salaries, they often come with demanding hours. In contrast, in-house corporate legal departments typically provide more favorable work-life balance and additional benefits, which can be a deciding factor for many. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the local market dynamics is crucial, as hourly rates can shift based on the specific legal sector and the level of expertise, especially in specialized areas like e-discovery.
More salary data for Bangor, ME:
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 Bangor. 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