Paralegal Hourly Pay in Grand Rapids, MI: $31.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Grand Rapids, MI runs $31.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,559 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Grand Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,741 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, the average paralegal hourly pay comes to $31.04, slightly less than the national median of $31.30. This rate offers a steady income for both part-time paralegals working three days a week and per-diem professionals who may find themselves in various work environments, such as law firm cubicles, corporate offices, or remote e-discovery review situations. The hourly wage range in Grand Rapids spans from $23.29 at the entry-level to $47.07 for top earners, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the legal field. This data, derived from official BLS figures, indicates that a paralegal role can change both in responsibility and pay depending on experience, specialization, and the specific employer setting.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.29 | $186.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.56 | $196.50 |
| Median (P50) | $31.04 | $248.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.26 | $314.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.07 | $376.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Rapids
Based on $31.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.04/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Rapids, MI can expect to earn approximately $64,569 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,251. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,241.71 | $5,381 | $64,569 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.02 | $3,228 | $38,741 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.68 | $2,152 | $25,827 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Grand Rapids) | $31.04 |
| 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 Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $64,559 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.83% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 11.70% above the Michigan state average of $57,797.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.04/hr = $38,741/year (purchasing power: $40,547).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,569/year (purchasing power: $67,579).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Grand Rapids grew 4.6% from $28.66/hr (2019) to $29.99/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.13/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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids
For paralegals working part-time in Grand Rapids, a typical 24-hour work week translates to a take-home amount significantly less than that of full-time counterparts. In fact, a paralegal making $31.04 an hour would earn around $48,000 per year if they were full-time, but part-time workers see a fraction of that due to fewer hours. Per diem paralegal pay in Grand Rapids varies widely; contract paralegal roles often command between $25 and $50 per hour, while e-discovery specialists may earn $30 to $60 per hour. Freelance corporate paralegals typically receive $40 to $75, depending on project demands. Many professionals in this field must weigh the benefits of a reliable paycheck against potentially higher hourly rates in freelance or contract work, often lacking health benefits. When negotiating pay, it's essential to understand what different employers, such as BigLaw firms or public defender offices, can offer in terms of hourly pay and additional benefits.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 Grand Rapids. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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