Paralegal Hourly Pay in Arlington, MA: $31.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Arlington, MA runs $31.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,345 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Arlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,801 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington, Massachusetts, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $31.89 by 2026, slightly above the national median of $31.30. This hourly wage allows for viable part-time options, such as working three days a week, which can provide a consistent income without the commitments of full-time positions. Estimates show that entry-level paralegals in Arlington earn around $23.02 per hour, making the profession accessible to those just starting. On the higher end, experienced paralegals can command up to $48.63 per hour, offering substantial financial incentives that can motivate professionals to advance within their workplaces, including law firm environments, corporate legal settings, and various governmental offices. Given the cost of living index of 108.5 in Arlington, the hourly rate reflects not only local economic conditions but also the value assigned to legal expertise in diverse settings like court filings and corporate compliance.
About the Arlington 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) | $23.02 | $184.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.40 | $203.21 |
| Median (P50) | $31.89 | $255.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.03 | $320.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.63 | $389.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington
Based on $31.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.89/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington, MA can expect to earn approximately $66,334 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,270. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Arlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,275.66 | $5,528 | $66,334 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $765.39 | $3,317 | $39,801 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $510.26 | $2,211 | $26,534 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Arlington) | $31.89 |
| 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 Arlington, MA earn a median of $66,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.92% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $67,355.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.89/hr = $39,801/year (purchasing power: $36,682).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,334/year (purchasing power: $61,137).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Arlington grew 21.6% from $25.35/hr (2019) to $30.81/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.01/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 Arlington 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 Arlington
Part-time paralegals working a 24-hour week can expect to take home around $39,743 annually, a significant figure for those balancing other responsibilities or seeking to supplement their income. Freelance or per-diem paralegal opportunities are also abundant in Arlington, where contract workers can earn between $25 to $90 per hour depending on their specialization and the scope of work. For instance, e-discovery specialists might see rates of $30 to $60 per hour, while trial preparation contracts could offer an impressive $50 to $90 per hour during litigation periods. As job settings vary—from large law firms to boutique agencies and corporate legal departments—so do the hourly rates, which can greatly differ based on the organizational structure and specific needs. When negotiating pay in Arlington, many paralegals face the choice of accepting lower rates in exchange for benefits or pursuing higher pay without the security of health insurance. It’s essential for professionals in this field to understand their worth thoroughly and utilize local salary data to inform their negotiations.
More salary data for Arlington, 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 Arlington. 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 Arlington 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