Paralegal Hourly Pay in Franklin, MA: $30.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Franklin, MA runs $30.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,212 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Franklin's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,522 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Franklin, Massachusetts, can expect a median hourly pay of $30.87, reflecting a slight difference below the national median of $31.30. This hourly rate is crucial for both part-time workers and those seeking per-diem roles, often found in diverse work environments such as law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, and government attorney offices. For instance, a part-time paralegal working three days a week could potentially earn a steady income while enjoying a work-life balance, making it an appealing option for many in the field. The projected hourly range for this profession stretches from $23.17 for entry-level positions to $47.85 for those at the top percentile, illustrating significant earning potential based on experience and expertise. It is important to note that these hourly rates are derived from projected annual salary estimates, influencing the decisions of both current and prospective paralegals.
About the Franklin 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) | $23.17 | $185.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.55 | $196.42 |
| Median (P50) | $30.87 | $246.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.76 | $310.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.85 | $382.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Franklin
Based on $30.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.87/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Franklin, MA can expect to earn approximately $64,203 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,040. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Franklin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Franklin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,234.67 | $5,350 | $64,203 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $740.80 | $3,210 | $38,522 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $493.87 | $2,140 | $25,681 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Franklin) | $30.87 |
| 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 Franklin, MA earn a median of $64,212 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.36% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $67,379.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.87/hr = $38,522/year (purchasing power: $35,504).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,203/year (purchasing power: $59,173).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Franklin grew 21.6% from $24.53/hr (2019) to $29.82/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.95/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 Franklin 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 Franklin
Focusing on earning potential, a part-time paralegal in Franklin working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week could bring home roughly $38,299 annually, based on the 2026 median hourly rate. In contrast, full-time paralegals could earn significantly more, thus incentivizing many to seek full-time roles despite the demanding hours that might come with them, especially in BigLaw settings. Moreover, per-diem paralegal pay in Franklin can vary widely, with contract work typically billing between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialized roles such as e-discovery review specialists may command $30 to $60 per hour. Employment settings play a crucial role in determining pay rates; for example, in-house corporate legal departments often provide more stable hours and benefits compared to the variable hours of freelance arrangements. Paralegals must weigh these aspects carefully, especially when negotiating contracts that may offer higher hourly pay but lack benefits such as health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies, particularly those highlighting specialized skills or certifications from recognized programs like those endorsed by NALA or NFPA, can strengthen one’s position in this evolving market.
More salary data for Franklin, 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 Franklin. 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 Franklin 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