Paralegal Hourly Pay in Freeport, NY: $28.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Freeport, NY runs $28.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,269 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Freeport's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,563 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Freeport, NY, paralegals earn a median hourly rate of $28.50, which falls below the national median hourly figure of $31.30. This discrepancy may influence the potential earnings of part-time and per-diem workers, often found in legal environments such as law firm open offices, corporate legal departments, or in hybrid roles focused on e-discovery. The hourly pay structure spans a range from $21.10 for entry-level positions to $44.07 for more experienced practitioners, suggesting varied opportunities depending on experience and area of expertise. These hourly rates, derived from annual salary estimates, reflect the compensation landscape for paralegals in Freeport, where the workload can also dictate the choice between part-time, per diem, or contract roles across various sectors, including government, litigation support, and corporate legal environments.
About the Freeport Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.10 | $168.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.09 | $184.74 |
| Median (P50) | $28.50 | $227.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.53 | $284.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.07 | $352.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Freeport
Based on $28.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.50/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Freeport, NY can expect to earn approximately $59,272 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,196. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Freeport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Freeport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,139.85 | $4,939 | $59,272 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $683.91 | $2,964 | $35,563 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.94 | $1,976 | $23,709 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Freeport) | $28.50 |
| 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 Freeport, NY earn a median of $59,269 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.95% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.20% below the New York state average of $62,520.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.50/hr = $35,563/year (purchasing power: $30,685).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,272/year (purchasing power: $51,141).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Freeport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Freeport grew 21.6% from $22.65/hr (2019) to $27.53/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.50/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 Freeport 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 Freeport
A part-time paralegal working three days a week—equating to roughly 24 hours—would earn less annually than a full-time counterpart, taking home about $35,040 compared to a full-time median nearing $59,269. In addition, the realities of per-diem arrangements often see contract paralegals billing between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialized roles, such as e-discovery professionals, may command $30 to $60 per hour. Freelancers in corporate environments can earn between $40 and $75, with trial prep roles allowing for significant hourly returns of $50 to $90 during high-stakes litigation periods. It's also noteworthy how hourly rates can vary significantly across employer types in Freeport; BigLaw firms typically offer higher pay, reflecting the demanding nature of the work, in contrast to government positions that may provide lower rates but more stable benefits. Paralegals may find themselves weighing the value of compensation against benefits, as higher pay may come without health insurance, prompting negotiation strategies aimed at securing fair hourly rates that reflect the local cost of living and employment market.
More salary data for Freeport, NY:
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 Freeport. 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 Freeport 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