Paralegal Hourly Pay in Cary, NC: $30.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Cary, NC runs $30.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,747 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Cary's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,250 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, the median hourly pay for paralegals is projected to reach $30.65 by 2026, slightly below the national median of $31.30. This competitive hourly rate reflects the opportunities for part-time and per-diem paralegals working in various legal environments, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. Entry-level positions typically start around $22.43, while experienced professionals can command as much as $47.50 per hour. For part-time workers, such as those who may opt to work three days a week, this equates to potential earnings that align favorably with full-time roles while providing added flexibility. Ultimately, these figures highlight the dynamic nature of paralegal hourly pay in Cary, underscoring the financial viability of this career path.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.43 | $179.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.88 | $199.07 |
| Median (P50) | $30.65 | $245.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.71 | $309.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.50 | $380.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cary
Based on $30.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.65/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cary, NC can expect to earn approximately $63,751 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,779. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,225.97 | $5,313 | $63,751 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $735.58 | $3,188 | $38,250 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.39 | $2,125 | $25,500 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Cary) | $30.65 |
| 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 Cary, NC earn a median of $63,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.07% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 19.30% above the North Carolina state average of $53,434.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.65/hr = $38,250/year (purchasing power: $40,866).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,751/year (purchasing power: $68,110).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Cary grew 21.6% from $24.36/hr (2019) to $29.61/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.73/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 Cary 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 Cary
Understanding the nuances of paralegal positions in Cary reveals interesting earning potentials and work environment considerations. For a paralegal working part-time at 24 hours a week, the annual income can still amount to over $38,000, demonstrating how even reduced schedules can yield attractive compensation. In contrast, per-diem paralegal pay in Cary often varies based on specific employer needs; for instance, contract work can range from $25 to $50 per hour, with specialized e-discovery roles offering between $30 and $60 per hour. Corporate or trial-prep paralegals may earn even more, bringing home $50 to $90 per hour during peak litigation phases. Many paralegals find themselves balancing the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus more stable positions with health insurance and retirement contributions, making it crucial to align career goals with pay structure preferences. Moreover, effective negotiation skills can help local paralegals navigate their worth, improve their compensation packages, and enhance job satisfaction across various firms and sectors in Cary, NC.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
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 Cary. 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 Cary 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