Paralegal Hourly Pay in Toms River, NJ: $35.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Toms River, NJ runs $35.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,936 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Toms River's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,361 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals working in Toms River, NJ, can expect a median hourly pay of $35.55, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.30. This competitive rate is advantageous for part-time or per-diem workers, who may find positions in law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices where they can fit their schedules around other commitments. In Toms River, entry-level paralegals might earn around $26.60 per hour, while experienced professionals can command up to $55.10 per hour. Such an hourly pay structure is particularly beneficial in various settings, such as open office spaces in law firms or the increasingly popular remote work in e-discovery review processes, allowing for flexibility while also being compensated well for their contributions.
About the Toms River Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.60 | $212.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.18 | $233.44 |
| Median (P50) | $35.55 | $284.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.46 | $355.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.10 | $440.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Toms River
Based on $35.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.55/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Toms River, NJ can expect to earn approximately $73,934 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,654. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Toms River.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Toms River
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,421.81 | $6,161 | $73,934 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $853.09 | $3,697 | $44,361 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $568.73 | $2,464 | $29,574 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Toms River) | $35.55 |
| 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 Toms River, NJ earn a median of $73,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $74,986.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.55/hr = $44,361/year (purchasing power: $38,507).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,934/year (purchasing power: $64,179).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Toms River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Toms River grew 21.6% from $28.25/hr (2019) to $34.34/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.79/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 Toms River 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 Toms River
Examining the earning potential for part-time paralegals, a typical 3-day workweek, or approximately 24 hours, could net around $44,150 annually, significantly less than full-time earnings yet still providing a reasonable income depending on lifestyle and needs. In contrast, freelance and contract paralegal work in Toms River often presents different financial scenarios, with per diem paralegal pay ranging from $25 to $50 per hour. For e-discovery review specialists, the pay can rise to between $30 and $60 hourly, while corporate paralegals at small businesses may earn anywhere from $40 to $75 hourly. These varied rates stem from employer types and job responsibilities, with law firms typically offering the higher end of the spectrum but possibly demanding more hours. It's essential for paralegals considering their next role to weigh the benefits, such as health insurance from stable positions, against higher hourly wages in contract roles, and to approach negotiations with a clear understanding of market standards in Toms River.
More salary data for Toms River, 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 Toms River. 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 Toms River 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