Paralegal Hourly Pay in Atlantic City, NJ: $33.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Atlantic City, NJ runs $33.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,876 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Atlantic City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.9, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,325 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Atlantic City can expect a median hourly pay of $33.11, which surpasses the national hourly median of $31.30 by approximately 5.81%. This hourly rate creates a solid earning potential for part-time workers, such as those putting in an average of three days a week, along with per-diem employees who might provide their services on an as-needed basis at law firms, corporate offices, or during court proceedings. For entry-level paralegals, the hourly rate starts at around $23.36, while experienced professionals can see rates climb to $39.10, reflecting a diverse range of skills and responsibilities across various legal settings in the region, from bustling law offices to remote e-discovery review tasks. These figures are drawn directly from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.36 | $186.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.63 | $197.00 |
| Median (P50) | $33.11 | $264.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.21 | $265.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.10 | $312.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlantic City
Based on $33.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.11/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlantic City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $68,875 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,735. With a cost-of-living index of 98.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Atlantic City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlantic City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,324.51 | $5,740 | $68,875 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $794.71 | $3,444 | $41,325 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $529.81 | $2,296 | $27,550 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Atlantic City) | $33.11 |
| 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 Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $68,876 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.81% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 8.20% below the New Jersey state average of $75,028.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.11/hr = $41,325/year (purchasing power: $41,803).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,875/year (purchasing power: $69,671).
CoL index: 98.857 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Atlantic City grew 41.9% from $22.54/hr (2019) to $31.99/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.28/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 Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City
Exploring the financial landscape of paralegal work in Atlantic City reveals that a paralegal working three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, could earn around $40,000 a year. This annual sum contrasts sharply with the higher income of full-time colleagues, who are poised to reap the benefits of comprehensive health benefits and retirement plans, often not available in part-time roles. In the contract work realm, rates for per diem paralegals vary significantly; those in e-discovery positions may command between $30 and $60 an hour, while freelance corporate paralegals can charge anywhere from $40 to $75 for their services. The variance in hourly pay across employer types—BigLaw, in-house corporate settings, and public offices—highlights the different value placed on paralegals depending on their environment. While some may opt for slightly lower hourly rates for job security and benefits, others prioritize higher pay and flexibility, particularly in agency work. Negotiating effectively in Atlantic City requires an understanding of the local market and leveraging one’s experience and specialization, especially in high-demand areas like e-discovery, to secure the best possible compensation.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
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 Atlantic City. 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