Paralegal Hourly Pay in Greenville, NC: $23.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Greenville, NC runs $23.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,198 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,518 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Paralegal hourly pay in Greenville, NC, is projected to be $23.65 in 2026, considerably lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This discrepancy can impact the earning potential of part-time paralegals, who may find themselves making roughly $1,200 weekly while working only three days a week, a considerable income offset by the area's lower cost of living index, which stands at 88.402. For those in per diem positions or on temporary contracts, the situation can vary substantially; many such roles are executed in traditional settings like law firm cubicles, corporate offices, and even remote environments for e-discovery tasks. The hourly pay range for paralegals in Greenville spans from $17.90 for entry-level positions to $31.75 for those at the top of their field, highlighting significant earning opportunities based on experience and specialization.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.90 | $143.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.52 | $148.14 |
| Median (P50) | $23.65 | $189.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.66 | $245.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.75 | $253.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $23.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.65/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, NC can expect to earn approximately $49,196 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,382. With a cost-of-living index of 88.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $946.08 | $4,100 | $49,196 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $567.65 | $2,460 | $29,518 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $378.43 | $1,640 | $19,678 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Greenville) | $23.65 |
| 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 Greenville, NC earn a median of $49,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.42% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 7.90% below the North Carolina state average of $53,418.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.65/hr = $29,518/year (purchasing power: $33,390).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,196/year (purchasing power: $55,651).
CoL index: 88.402 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Greenville grew 10.2% from $20.74/hr (2019) to $22.85/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.48/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
When assessing the financial implications of a paralegal career in Greenville, part-time workers need to understand the actual income they can take home annually. For a paralegal working 24 hours per week, the earnings could reach approximately $32,000, starkly contrasting with full-time earnings that could be over $49,000. Furthermore, the per-diem or contract work scenarios present a lucrative option; those who pursue freelance opportunities might charge between $25 and $90 per hour depending on specialization, with e-discovery professionals often on the higher end of the spectrum. Additionally, hourly rates vary across employer types, where law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies may offer different compensation packages. While some paralegals may opt for lower hourly rates with benefits, it’s critical for job seekers to negotiate effectively by demonstrating their skills, especially in high-demand areas like e-discovery, to maximize their earning potential in this competitive job market in Greenville.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 Greenville. 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