Paralegal Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, NC: $30.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Fayetteville, NC runs $30.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,489 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,488 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, the projected paralegal hourly rate for 2026 stands at $30.04, slightly below the national median of $31.30. For part-time or per-diem paralegals, who may work three days a week, this translates into a manageable income, enabling them to balance work and other obligations while gaining valuable experience in diverse environments such as law firms and corporate legal settings. Entry-level positions typically start around $18.89, while top earners can command rates as high as $37.03, reflecting the range of expertise and specialization within the field. It's vital to consider the overall landscape of paralegal roles, especially for those focusing on areas like e-discovery, where pay rates can notably vary, as supported by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.89 | $151.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.33 | $186.65 |
| Median (P50) | $30.04 | $240.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.98 | $255.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.03 | $296.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $30.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.04/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, NC can expect to earn approximately $62,480 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,046. With a cost-of-living index of 91.98 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,201.54 | $5,207 | $62,480 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.93 | $3,124 | $37,488 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.62 | $2,083 | $24,992 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Fayetteville) | $30.04 |
| 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 Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $62,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.01% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 16.90% above the North Carolina state average of $53,455.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.04/hr = $37,488/year (purchasing power: $40,758).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,480/year (purchasing power: $67,930).
CoL index: 91.978 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Fayetteville grew 43.5% from $20.23/hr (2019) to $29.02/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.09/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
Evaluating the earning potential for a paralegal working part-time in Fayetteville reveals interesting dynamics. A paralegal working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $37,410 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart earning a significantly higher total. For those considering per-diem or contract positions, the pay can fluctuate based on project demands and skill specialization. Contract paralegals typically bill between $25 and $50 per hour, while e-discovery professionals might find themselves in the higher range between $30 and $60 hourly. Within different contexts such as law firms, government offices, or corporate environments, hourly rates will vary accordingly. Some may choose positions with slightly lower hourly wages to secure benefits like health insurance, which is an essential consideration for many. Negotiating hourly rates can be influenced by the specific employer type and demand—practical strategies include showcasing specialty certifications from recognized bodies such as NALA or NFPA to leverage higher pay opportunities in Fayetteville.
More salary data for Fayetteville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Fayetteville. 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