Paralegal Hourly Pay in Grand Island, NE: $27.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Grand Island, NE runs $27.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,141 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Grand Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,879 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For paralegals in Grand Island, NE, the median hourly pay is projected at $27.95 for 2026, which places it significantly below the national hourly median of $31.30. This disparity may influence employment strategies for part-time paralegals—those working three days a week would earn around $23,000 annually based on 24 hours of work per week. In typical environments like law firms, government offices, and corporate legal departments, paralegals can expect to see an hourly rate range from $20.47 at entry-level positions to as high as $43.33 for seasoned professionals. Because these hourly rates are estimated from annual salary data, they reflect the financial realities faced by paralegals operating in various settings, including remote and hybrid roles that provide flexibility and demand for e-discovery specialists.
About the Grand Island Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.47 | $163.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.00 | $175.97 |
| Median (P50) | $27.95 | $223.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.73 | $285.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.33 | $346.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Island
Based on $27.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.95/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Island, NE can expect to earn approximately $58,131 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,537. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,117.91 | $4,844 | $58,131 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $670.74 | $2,907 | $34,879 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $447.16 | $1,938 | $23,252 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Grand Island) | $27.95 |
| 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 Island, NE earn a median of $58,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.69% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $59,570.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.95/hr = $34,879/year (purchasing power: $38,119).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,131/year (purchasing power: $63,531).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Grand Island grew 42.0% from $19.02/hr (2019) to $27.00/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.93/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 Island 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 Island
Part-time paralegals often seek to balance earnings against their needs for flexibility. Earning at $27.95 per hour might seem modest, but it offers a sustainable income for those prioritizing work-life balance or other commitments. In contrast, per diem paralegal pay in Grand Island can vary significantly; contract roles typically bill between $25 to $50 per hour, while e-discovery specialists can command rates ranging from $30 to $60. Freelance corporate paralegals may earn from $40 to $75 depending on the complexity of tasks, whereas trial prep work can reach $50 to $90 during active litigation. The variation in hourly pay is influenced by the type of employer, with larger firms generally offering higher rates, albeit often with more demanding work contexts. Negotiation strategies could focus on balancing hourly rates with benefits, as some paralegals might accept lower wages in return for health insurance. Understanding the nuances of the local job market in Grand Island can provide leverage in these discussions, ensuring that paralegal professionals can better align their earnings with their career goals.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
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 Island. 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 Grand Island 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