Paralegal Hourly Pay in Cambridge, MA: $38.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Cambridge, MA runs $38.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,679 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Cambridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,404 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, paralegals command a median hourly pay of $38.79, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.30. This competitive pay reflects the city’s robust legal sector, where part-time paralegals working three days a week can expect to earn a comfortable income while balancing their professional and personal lives. Per-diem workers find themselves well-compensated in various environments, from corporate offices to remote e-discovery review projects, with hourly rates ranging from $26.15 to $60.12. For entry-level positions, pay starts at approximately $26.15, which can rise to about $60.12 for experienced professionals in high-demand roles. Such rates are derived from projected annual salary estimates and illustrate the lucrative opportunities available to paralegals in the Cambridge area.
About the Cambridge 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) | $26.15 | $209.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.77 | $238.16 |
| Median (P50) | $38.79 | $310.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.56 | $396.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.12 | $480.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cambridge
Based on $38.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.79/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cambridge, MA can expect to earn approximately $80,673 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,542. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cambridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cambridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,551.41 | $6,723 | $80,673 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $930.84 | $4,034 | $48,404 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $620.56 | $2,689 | $32,269 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Cambridge) | $38.79 |
| 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 Cambridge, MA earn a median of $80,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.94% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 19.80% above the Massachusetts state average of $67,345.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.79/hr = $48,404/year (purchasing power: $44,612).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,673/year (purchasing power: $74,353).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Cambridge grew 21.6% from $30.83/hr (2019) to $37.47/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.15/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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge
When considering part-time roles, a paralegal working for 24 hours each week could potentially take home a significant amount compared to full-time counterparts. Many contract paralegals in Cambridge participate in flexible opportunities that may bill between $25 and $50 an hour. Specialist functions, such as e-discovery or trial preparation, can lead to even higher rates, with hourly wages peaking at $90 during active litigation. The different types of employers, from large law firms to government agencies, influence pay scales, offering varied benefits packages. Paralegals may choose between lower hourly rates for positions that provide comprehensive health benefits and higher pay in freelance roles that lack such offerings. For those negotiating their rates, it’s wise to highlight experience and specific skills, especially in niche areas valuable to employers in Cambridge's competitive legal scene.
More salary data for Cambridge, 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 Cambridge. 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 Cambridge 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