Paralegal Hourly Pay in Wellesley, MA: $30.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Wellesley, MA runs $30.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,983 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Wellesley's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,392 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wellesley, Massachusetts, paralegals can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $30.76, which is slightly below the national median of $31.30. This translates to a consistent earning opportunity for those in various paralegal roles, whether they work part-time in law firms, corporate legal departments, or as per-diem staff in government settings. The hourly pay range for paralegals in the area spans from $22.90 at the lower end to $47.68 for top earners, reflecting entry-level positions to more experienced specialists. These figures, derived from projected 2026 data based on 2025 BLS estimates, highlight the financial potential for paralegals in different work environments, including traditional office spaces, remote roles, and active court settings.
About the Wellesley 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) | $22.90 | $183.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.02 | $200.15 |
| Median (P50) | $30.76 | $246.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.16 | $313.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.68 | $381.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wellesley
Based on $30.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.76/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wellesley, MA can expect to earn approximately $63,987 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,916. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wellesley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wellesley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,230.53 | $5,332 | $63,987 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.32 | $3,199 | $38,392 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.21 | $2,133 | $25,595 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Wellesley) | $30.76 |
| 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 Wellesley, MA earn a median of $63,983 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.71% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $67,350.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.76/hr = $38,392/year (purchasing power: $35,385).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,987/year (purchasing power: $58,975).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Wellesley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Wellesley grew 21.6% from $24.45/hr (2019) to $29.72/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.84/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 Wellesley 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 Wellesley
Earning potential can vary significantly for part-time paralegals working just three days a week—at 24 hours, they would take home about $38,188 annually compared to their full-time counterparts. The landscape for per-diem paralegals in Wellesley is equally diverse, with contract work options often billing between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialists in e-discovery might see rates between $30 and $60. Freelance corporate paralegals for small businesses can command anywhere from $40 to $75 per hour, while those involved in trial preparation can earn between $50 and $90 per hour during litigation. Employers across Wellesley’s legal sector, including law firms of varying sizes and government offices, typically offer different pay scales, with larger firms often providing higher hourly wages but demanding longer hours. While some paralegals may opt for lower hourly rates to secure benefits, others may prioritize higher pay without health insurance. When negotiating hourly pay, consider the employer type and be prepared to discuss the value of specialized skills, particularly in high-demand areas like e-discovery.
More salary data for Wellesley, 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 Wellesley. 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 Wellesley 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