Paralegal Hourly Pay in Scarborough, ME: $29.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Scarborough, ME runs $29.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,861 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Scarborough's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,114 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Scarborough, Maine, the projected hourly pay for paralegals in 2026 stands at $29.74. This figure is notably below the national median hourly rate of $31.30. Such an hourly wage provides a reasonable income for part-time paralegals working three days a week, allowing them to earn an estimated $36,467 annually by working 24 hours per week. The hourly rates span a range from $22.12 for entry-level positions to $43.91 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse opportunities across various settings, including law firm cubicles, corporate offices, court support areas, and e-discovery review environments. These rates are projected based on annual salary estimates, indicating a trend in wage structures that may influence future hiring in this sector.
About the Scarborough Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.12 | $176.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.20 | $201.64 |
| Median (P50) | $29.74 | $237.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.09 | $288.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.91 | $351.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Scarborough
Based on $29.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.74/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Scarborough, ME can expect to earn approximately $61,856 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,686. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Scarborough.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Scarborough
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,189.54 | $5,155 | $61,856 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $713.72 | $3,093 | $37,114 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.81 | $2,062 | $24,742 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Scarborough) | $29.74 |
| 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 Scarborough, ME earn a median of $61,861 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.60% below the Maine state average of $64,843.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.74/hr = $37,114/year (purchasing power: $37,263).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,856/year (purchasing power: $62,104).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Scarborough (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Scarborough grew 21.6% from $23.64/hr (2019) to $28.73/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.78/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 Scarborough 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 Scarborough
Part-time paralegals can strategically navigate their compensation by considering the benefits associated with full-time roles versus the flexibility of part-time work. A paralegal working 24 hours weekly may bring home around $36,467 annually, contrasting with full-time counterparts who may earn towards the higher end of the salary spectrum. In the realm of per-diem paralegal pay in Scarborough, compensation often varies significantly; contract paralegals may charge between $25-$50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery roles could range from $30-$60 per hour. Freelance corporate paralegals frequently earn anywhere from $40 to $75 per hour, particularly in small businesses. Additionally, while law firms might offer competitive pay, government and non-profit positions often present lower hourly rates but include benefits such as health insurance. Paralegals aiming to negotiate better hourly wages should highlight their specialized skills, particularly in areas like e-discovery, to enhance their market value in a competitive job landscape.
More salary data for Scarborough, 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 Scarborough. 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 Scarborough 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