Paralegal Hourly Pay in Durham, NC: $26.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Durham, NC runs $26.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,343 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Durham's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.6, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,605 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Durham, North Carolina, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $26.13 by 2026. This rate is notably lower than the national median hourly figure of $31.30, indicating a pay disparity for paralegals in this region. For part-time paralegals working three days a week, this median translates to a weekly income that reflects a balance of professional commitment and personal circumstances. With entry-level positions earning around $23.03 per hour, experience can dramatically increase earnings, as top earners can make upwards of $44.65 per hour. These figures, drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data, illustrate a market where hourly compensation varies significantly based on experience and specialization. This makes the role appealing in various settings, whether in the traditional law firm cubicles, busy corporate offices, or increasingly popular hybrid e-discovery environments.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.03 | $184.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.12 | $200.98 |
| Median (P50) | $26.13 | $209.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.81 | $254.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.65 | $357.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durham
Based on $26.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.13/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durham, NC can expect to earn approximately $54,342 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,351. With a cost-of-living index of 97.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,045.04 | $4,528 | $54,342 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $627.02 | $2,717 | $32,605 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $418.01 | $1,811 | $21,737 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Durham) | $26.13 |
| 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 Durham, NC earn a median of $54,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.52% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.70% above the North Carolina state average of $53,434.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.13/hr = $32,605/year (purchasing power: $33,417).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,342/year (purchasing power: $55,694).
CoL index: 97.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Durham grew 9.6% from $23.03/hr (2019) to $25.24/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.04/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 Durham 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 Durham
Looking at the earning potential for a part-time paralegal, those working a standard 24-hour week would earn significantly less annually compared to full-time counterparts. As a reference point, per diem paralegal pay in Durham can vary widely; contract work may yield between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialists in e-discovery can see rates from $30 to $60 an hour. Freelance paralegals at smaller businesses typically charge between $40 and $75 hourly, and those involved in trial preparation can earn as much as $50 to $90 per hour during litigation phases. Hourly pay often fluctuates based on the type of employer—BigLaw firms may pay more but often demand intense hours, whereas in-house legal departments provide a steadier work-life balance. While some paralegals may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive benefits, others may seek higher rates without the security those benefits provide. For negotiation, paralegals should emphasize their skills and specialization, particularly in high-demand areas like e-discovery, to secure the best possible compensation in the competitive Durham market.
More salary data for Durham, 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 Durham. 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