Paralegal Hourly Pay in Port Huron, MI: $27.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Port Huron, MI runs $27.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,084 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Port Huron's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,246 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Huron, Michigan, the paralegal hourly pay is projected at $27.44 for 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.30. This disparity means that paralegals working part-time—say, three days a week—typically earn less than their counterparts in other regions, but can still make a reasonable living, especially through contract work. The hourly pay ranges from $19.94 for entry-level positions to $41.93 for top earners, suggesting a potential for growth for those who gain experience or specialize in high-demand areas such as e-discovery. Paralegals in Port Huron often work in various environments including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices, and may even operate remotely, accommodating the growing trend of hybrid work arrangements.
About the Port Huron Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.94 | $159.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.95 | $175.64 |
| Median (P50) | $27.44 | $219.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.58 | $276.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.93 | $335.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port Huron
Based on $27.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.44/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port Huron, MI can expect to earn approximately $57,076 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,929. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Port Huron.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port Huron
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,097.62 | $4,756 | $57,076 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $658.57 | $2,854 | $34,246 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.05 | $1,903 | $22,830 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Port Huron) | $27.44 |
| 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 Port Huron, MI earn a median of $57,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.31% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.20% below the Michigan state average of $57,777.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.44/hr = $34,246/year (purchasing power: $36,744).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,076/year (purchasing power: $61,241).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Port Huron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Port Huron grew 21.6% from $21.81/hr (2019) to $26.51/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.40/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 Port Huron 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 Port Huron
On the topic of earnings, paralegals engaged in part-time roles will experience different financial realities compared to full-time workers. A paralegal working an average of 24 hours weekly could expect an annual take-home that is significantly reduced, which may influence career choices toward full-time positions for stability. For those interested in per-diem roles, the landscape varies widely; contract paralegals often bill between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery experts might see rates of $30-$60 per hour. Employers may offer different hourly rates depending on the nature of the legal work involved. Full-time positions may provide benefits such as health insurance, leading some paralegals to accept lower pay in exchange for these benefits. For those negotiating hourly rates in Port Huron, it’s vital to understand the compensation trends, consider the value of benefits, and research prevailing pay in different employer types, whether they be small boutique firms or larger corporate legal departments.
More salary data for Port Huron, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Port Huron in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Port Huron?
Are paralegals in Port Huron paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Port Huron?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Port Huron?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 Port Huron. 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 Port Huron 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