Paralegal Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $27.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Wilmington, NC runs $27.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,028 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,814 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the median paralegal hourly rate is projected to be $27.90 in 2026, which falls short of the national median rate of $31.30. This reflects the unique economic landscape of Wilmington, where many paralegals may find themselves working in various environments, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or even remotely as they assist in e-discovery reviews. For those who opt for part-time roles, such as working three days a week, this hourly pay can significantly impact their annual earnings. The hourly range for paralegals spans from $19.96 for entry-level positions to $37.63 for seasoned professionals, emphasizing the potential financial benefits of experience and specialization in this field. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and provide insight into both earnings potential and the demand for paralegals in the area.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.96 | $159.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.27 | $186.15 |
| Median (P50) | $27.90 | $223.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.13 | $257.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.63 | $301.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $27.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.90/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $58,024 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,475. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,115.84 | $4,835 | $58,024 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $669.50 | $2,901 | $34,814 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $446.34 | $1,934 | $23,209 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Wilmington) | $27.90 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $58,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.86% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 8.60% above the North Carolina state average of $53,433.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.90/hr = $34,814/year (purchasing power: $36,106).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,024/year (purchasing power: $60,177).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Wilmington grew 41.5% from $19.04/hr (2019) to $26.95/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.88/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Part-time paralegals working 24 hours per week could expect an annual take-home pay significantly less than their full-time counterparts, whose earnings are more stable across the week. The per diem paralegal pay in Wilmington typically hovers around $25 to $50 per hour, with contract roles offering specialized gigs that can bill e-discovery specialists at rates from $30 to $60 per hour, or trial preparation paralegals seeing hourly rates as high as $90 during intense litigation periods. As the pay rates vary across employer types—ranging from BigLaw firms, which may offer a premium but demand long hours, to small legal firms where work-life balance may be more achievable—it’s critical for job seekers to understand their options fully. Paralegals accepting lower hourly rates might have access to benefits such as health insurance, while those pursuing freelance opportunities enjoy the flexibility of higher rates but without benefits. When negotiating in Wilmington, leverage your unique skill set and be prepared to discuss the value of your specific experience in this evolving field.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 Wilmington. 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