Paralegal Hourly Pay in Salem, MA: $31.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Salem, MA runs $31.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,891 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,935 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, Massachusetts, the paralegal hourly rate for 2026 stands at $31.20, closely aligning with the national median of $31.30. This competitive pay indicates a healthy job market for paralegals in the area, catering to professionals engaged in diverse environments such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. For part-time or per-diem workers, who may only be active three days a week or on an as-needed basis, this hourly pay translates directly into flexible earning potential. Entry-level positions can expect around $23.91 per hour, while seasoned paralegals may earn upwards of $48.36, illustrating the notable spectrum within this field. Such earnings are often drawn from projections based on annual salary data, emphasizing both the accessibility and variability of pay for paralegals in Salem.
About the Salem 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) | $23.91 | $191.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.91 | $207.27 |
| Median (P50) | $31.20 | $249.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.36 | $306.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.36 | $386.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $31.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.20/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, MA can expect to earn approximately $64,892 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,437. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,247.92 | $5,408 | $64,892 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $748.75 | $3,245 | $38,935 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.17 | $2,163 | $25,957 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Salem) | $31.20 |
| 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 Salem, MA earn a median of $64,891 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.32% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $67,315.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.20/hr = $38,935/year (purchasing power: $35,885).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,892/year (purchasing power: $59,808).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Salem grew 21.6% from $24.80/hr (2019) to $30.14/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.29/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 Salem 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 Salem
When considering annual take-home pay for part-time paralegals, a 24-hour workweek could yield a range of $31,200 to approximately $49,920 annually, which significantly differs from full-time salaries. The reality for per-diem, agency, or contract paralegals in Salem reveals an hourly spectrum that varies widely; while general contract work tends to offer $25-$50 per hour, specialists in e-discovery can command $30-$60, and corporate freelance paralegals may see $40-$75 per hour. Positions across various employers, from small boutique firms to larger in-house corporate departments, also exhibit distinct pay differences. Many professionals choose roles with lower hourly wages but included benefits due to health insurance and other perks. Practical negotiation in Salem’s legal market often revolves around these considerations, allowing paralegals to advocate for payments reflective of their expertise, especially in high-demand areas like e-discovery, where specific tools and knowledge can justify higher rates.
More salary data for Salem, 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 Salem. 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 Salem 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