Paralegal Hourly Pay in Winston-Salem, NC: $26.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Winston-Salem, NC runs $26.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,387 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Winston-Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,238 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $26.63 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.30. For those working part-time in typical environments such as law firm cubicles or corporate legal departments, this translates to a feasible earning potential, especially for individuals seeking to maintain work-life balance by committing to three days a week. The hourly range for paralegals in this area spans from $17.37 for entry-level positions to $41.27 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting a diverse range of opportunities across various settings, including remote e-discovery tasks and courthouse filings. These figures are estimates derived from annual salary projections and offer a glimpse into the local market dynamics.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.37 | $138.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.09 | $160.73 |
| Median (P50) | $26.63 | $213.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.09 | $272.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.27 | $330.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston-Salem
Based on $26.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.63/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston-Salem, NC can expect to earn approximately $55,397 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,960. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston-Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston-Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,065.32 | $4,616 | $55,397 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $639.19 | $2,770 | $33,238 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $426.13 | $1,847 | $22,159 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Winston-Salem) | $26.63 |
| 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 Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $55,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $53,463.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.63/hr = $33,238/year (purchasing power: $35,511).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,397/year (purchasing power: $59,185).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Winston-Salem grew 21.6% from $21.17/hr (2019) to $25.73/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.57/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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem
Examining the earning potential for part-time paralegals shows stark contrasts when compared to full-time positions. A 3-day workweek totaling 24 hours would yield an approximate annual income of $33,145, significantly less than what full-time paralegals might earn. Per diem paralegal pay in Winston-Salem can vary widely; freelance corporate paralegals may charge anywhere from $40 to $75 per hour, while e-discovery review specialists might earn between $30 and $60 per hour. The pay scale also fluctuates among different employers, with law firms typically offering competitive rates, but government offices might provide more stability along with additional benefits such as health insurance. Paralegals should strategically negotiate their hourly rates based on their skill sets and the specific employer, keeping in mind the differences in compensation for contract work, which could lean lower in hourly pay but offer flexibility and varied experiences.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Winston-Salem in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Winston-Salem?
Are paralegals in Winston-Salem paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Winston-Salem?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Winston-Salem?
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 Winston-Salem. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Winston-Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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