Paralegal Hourly Pay in Framingham, MA: $32.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Framingham, MA runs $32.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,505 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Framingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,498 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals in Framingham, Massachusetts, have a median hourly pay of $32.45, reflecting a competitive rate compared to the national median of $31.30. This difference indicates that local firms may offer more attractive compensation packages, which is beneficial for both full-time and part-time workers in various legal environments. For paralegals working three days a week or those on a per-diem basis, this hourly rate translates well into their earnings while permitting flexible schedules. The hourly range for the profession in Framingham starts at $22.55 for entry-level positions, extending to $50.31 for top earners. This data is significant for those considering roles within law firms, corporate legal departments, government offices, and various specialized legal settings, all of which potentially influence the pay scale for paralegals reliant on hourly wages.
About the Framingham 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) | $22.55 | $180.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.34 | $202.71 |
| Median (P50) | $32.45 | $259.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.29 | $330.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.31 | $402.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Framingham
Based on $32.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.45/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Framingham, MA can expect to earn approximately $67,497 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,940. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Framingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Framingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,298.02 | $5,625 | $67,497 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $778.81 | $3,375 | $40,498 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $519.21 | $2,250 | $26,999 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Framingham) | $32.45 |
| 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 Framingham, MA earn a median of $67,505 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.70% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 0.20% above the Massachusetts state average of $67,370.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.45/hr = $40,498/year (purchasing power: $37,325).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,497/year (purchasing power: $62,209).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Framingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Framingham grew 21.6% from $25.79/hr (2019) to $31.35/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.59/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 Framingham 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 Framingham
The earning potential for part-time paralegals who work 24 hours a week can be quite substantial. A part-timer in Framingham may take home around $40,000 annually, while full-time paralegals can expect to earn a higher figure due to their consistent weekly hours. In the realm of contract work, per diem paralegals often charge between $25 and $50 hourly, especially for e-discovery roles, which may garner up to $60 an hour. The variation in earnings is heavily influenced by employer type; for instance, BigLaw firms might offer a prime pay structure, while in-house legal departments typically present a balanced work-life equation. However, many paralegals consider trade-offs such as higher hourly rates without benefits versus positions that include health insurance but may pay less. In Framingham, negotiation of hourly rates can be crucial, with suggestions including demonstrating specific skills aligned with job requirements and emphasizing the value of specialized experience in fields like e-discovery to command higher pay.
More salary data for Framingham, 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 Framingham. 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 Framingham 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