Paralegal Hourly Pay in Andover, MA: $30.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Andover, MA runs $30.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,768 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Andover's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,263 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Andover, Massachusetts, paralegals earn a median hourly rate of $30.66, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $31.30. This rate is significant for those working part-time, such as three days a week, which allows for a flexible schedule while still generating a respectable income. Typical settings for paralegals in this area include law firm cubicles, government office support, and remote e-discovery review roles. The hourly pay for paralegals ranges widely from $22.66 for entry-level positions to $47.37 for the most experienced professionals. This range allows for various work arrangements, whether as a full-time employee or a per-diem paralegal, showcasing the adaptability of this profession within different environments.
About the Andover Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.66 | $181.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.81 | $198.49 |
| Median (P50) | $30.66 | $245.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.20 | $305.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.37 | $378.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Andover
Based on $30.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.66/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Andover, MA can expect to earn approximately $63,772 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,792. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Andover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Andover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,226.39 | $5,314 | $63,772 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $735.83 | $3,189 | $38,263 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.55 | $2,126 | $25,509 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Andover) | $30.66 |
| 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 Andover, MA earn a median of $63,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.04% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $67,337.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.66/hr = $38,263/year (purchasing power: $35,266).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,772/year (purchasing power: $58,776).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Andover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Andover grew 21.6% from $24.37/hr (2019) to $29.62/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.74/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 Andover 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 Andover
For paralegals considering part-time work, a schedule of 24 hours a week can still yield a significant annual income, but it won’t match the earnings potential of a full-time counterpart. The per diem paralegal pay in Andover can vary considerably; while contract paralegal work typically bills between $25 and $50 per hour, specialized roles such as e-discovery review can command rates from $30 to $60. Freelance corporate paralegals might earn as much as $40 to $75 per hour, particularly within small businesses, while trial prep contract paralegals may see their hourly rates soar to between $50 and $90 during active litigation periods. Rates also differ by employer type—BigLaw firms tend to offer higher pay but often require longer hours, while corporate in-house positions promote a better work-life balance. Paralegals in Andover may negotiate for higher rates in exchange for the absence of benefits, so it's vital to weigh the implications of hourly vs. salaried positions and their associated benefits when exploring job offers.
More salary data for Andover, MA:
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 Andover. 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 Andover 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