Paralegal Hourly Pay in Rocky Mount, NC: $24.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Rocky Mount, NC runs $24.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,865 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Rocky Mount's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,525 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $24.46 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.30. This means that for part-time paralegals working three days a week, the earning potential can be less robust, necessitating careful financial planning. Part-time workers in various legal environments, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and even remote e-discovery roles, typically earn between $17.06 at the entry-level to $34.16 for those at the top of the pay scale. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS data, highlights the diverse earning potential in this field while underscoring the lower compensation levels in Rocky Mount compared to the national averages.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.06 | $136.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.59 | $180.69 |
| Median (P50) | $24.46 | $195.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.13 | $249.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.16 | $273.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rocky Mount
Based on $24.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.46/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rocky Mount, NC can expect to earn approximately $50,876 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,351. With a cost-of-living index of 88.01 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rocky Mount.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rocky Mount
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $978.38 | $4,240 | $50,876 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $587.03 | $2,544 | $30,525 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $391.35 | $1,696 | $20,350 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Rocky Mount) | $24.46 |
| 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 Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $50,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.86% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.80% below the North Carolina state average of $53,429.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.46/hr = $30,525/year (purchasing power: $34,683).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,876/year (purchasing power: $57,805).
CoL index: 88.012 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Rocky Mount grew 21.1% from $19.51/hr (2019) to $23.63/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.32/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 Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount
The dynamics of part-time paralegal work can affect overall annual income significantly. For instance, a paralegal working 24 hours a week at the locality’s median hourly rate will take home considerably less than a full-time counterpart, which would necessitate supplemental income sources or budgeting strategies. Freelance or contract work also alters the pay scenario; contract paralegals often bill between $25 and $50 per hour, with specialists in e-discovery commonly earning $30 to $60 per hour, and those involved in trial preparations commanding even higher rates. Different legal employers, including government offices and smaller law firms, can offer varying hourly rates. While some may opt for lower-paying positions that provide health insurance benefits, others might pursue opportunities with higher pay but fewer perks. Negotiating terms and staying aware of the going rates in Rocky Mount can significantly influence a paralegal's financial trajectory.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Rocky Mount in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Rocky Mount?
Are paralegals in Rocky Mount paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Rocky Mount?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Rocky Mount?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Rocky Mount. 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